On March 10, 2026, the Texas County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at a residence on Lundy Road in the Bucyrus area in reference to a missing person investigation. As law enforcement approached the residence an adult male identified as Chaun Asbury attempted to flee the residence and was apprehended. An adult female identified as Tamala Asbury exited the residence and was detained. Three juveniles were present at the residence. Deputies located one of the juveniles locked in a shed with no utilities, bound to a bed. The juvenile was severely malnourished and required urgent medical care. The juveniles were taken into protective custody.
During the search, deputies found the living conditions to be unsanitary, as the residence did not have utilities or sewer. In addition to the living conditions deputies found evidence of physical abuse and unnecessary physical restraint to the children. Chaun Asbury, age 42 of Bucyrus was arrested along with Tamala Asbury, age 45 of Bucyrus and both were transported to the Texas County Jail. As the search progressed deputies located skeletal remains in a shallow grave on the property. Texas County Coroner Brent Honeycutt responded to the scene, along with personnel from the Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control to assist with the recovery at the request of Sheriff Scott Lindsey. The skeletal remains will require further forensic analysis for positive identification and investigation into the cause of death. The findings are consistent with a missing person Ceasar Asbury, that had previously been reported as a possible runaway by the suspects.
Chaun Asbury and Tamala Asbury have been charged by Texas County Prosecuting Attorney Parke Stevens with five counts of child abuse each. The Asburys are being held in the Texas County Jail on $100,000 cash only bonds per Judge Fox. This remains an active investigation and additional charges are expected as the investigation progresses.
The search warrant was served by the Texas County Special Response Team, a tactical team maintained by the sheriff’s office consisting of deputies, and officers from the Houston and Licking Police Departments. The Houston Police Department provided additional support with supplies and equipment. The Missouri Department of Social Services Children’s Division assisted with placement for the juveniles.
Sheriff Scott Lindsey’s Comments: “This is absolutely the worst case of child abuse and neglect that I have encountered in my 28 plus years of law enforcement. The life that was lost and the other lives of the children that were affected by this situation is a horrible tragedy. I appreciate the effort of all the law enforcement officers involved in this investigation to seek answers and justice for the victims in this case. I would remind everyone that the charges filed at this time, are preliminary results and as this investigation continues I would anticipate more charges to be presented for prosecution.”
The above arrest/charges are mere accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence
