Jamestown man arraigned on murder charge

A Jamestown man was arraigned Tuesday, Aug. 9, in Moniteau County Court, on a Class A felony charge of murder in the second degree. His preliminary hearing was set for Oct. 4. No bond was set.

The charge was filed Aug. 3, after he was arrested, following the death of his son, on July 30.

According to the affidavit, filed Aug. 3, Christopher C. Buxton, 30, is alleged to have caused the death of the child on or about July 28, "by shaking him."

The probable cause statement reports that the Missouri Highway Patrol was called in by Moniteau County Sheriff's Department to investigate a suspected child abuse incident involving the two-month-old son of the accused. At the time the investigation began, the child was reported to have been undergoing treatment at Women's and Children's Hospital in Columbia. The child had been picked up in Cooper County by Cooper County Ambulance, transported to Cooper County Memorial Hospital. He was later transferred to the Columbia hospital with symptoms described as "non-responsive and shallow breathing."

The medical providers at University Hospital "determined the child had sustained extensive injuries," described as "non-accidental trauma." The injuries were reported to include "multiple bone fractures and subdural hemorrhages that were consistent with Shaken Baby Syndrome." The injuries were reported to have occurred on different occasions. The child was on life support at the hospital until Saturday when life support was removed and the infant died.

According to the Highway Patrol, Buxton was charged with murder Aug. 3 by the Moniteau County Prosecutors Office and arrested Wednesday at his residence.

The investigation continues by the Highway Patrol, assisted in the investigation by the Moniteau County Sheriff's Department, and the Missouri Division of Social Services Children's Division.