Greene County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Patterson announces that Daniel O. Mauldin, 36, of Springfield, Missouri, has been charged today with murder in the second degree for killing his wife, Tara Mauldin.
These events occurred yesterday, September 2, 2014, at 1619 S. Kentwood, Springfield, Missouri.
The defendant is being held in the Greene County Jail on a $500,000 bond.
Mr. Patterson cautions that the charges contained in the felony complaint are merely allegations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
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This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Nathan
Chapman. It is being investigated by the Springfield Police Dept. and Detective
Brian Smith is the lead investigator assigned to the case.
I, Detective Brian Smith, am the follow up investigator assigned to this case and have learned the following from police reports and my own investigation:
On September 2, 2014, around 1012 hours, Springfield Police Officer R. Russell #1172 was dispatched to 1619 S. Kentwood, Springfield, Missouri to check the well being of the resident. Officer Russell was provided with information, relayed via the 911 caller Paula Mauldin, her son "Daniel" had arrived at her residence in Fair Grove, Missouri and told her his wife "Tara" was at the residence and believed to be deceased.Paula had reported to the 911 call taker she was driving to the residence from Fair Grove, Missouri.
When Officer Russell arrived, he located an unsecured door on the back of the residence. Officers were not able to get a response from anyone inside and made entry to the residence to check the well being of any occupants.
Officers entered the residence and located a deceased female, later identified as Tara Mauldin. Tara was found in the living room of the residence, on the floor, lying on her back. Tara was obviously deceased and had visible injuries on her body indicating she was the victim of a physical assault. During the crime scene investigation, stains consistent with blood were found in multiple a areas of the residence.
Paula reported she was at her residence in Fair Grove, Missouri at about 1000 hours. Daniel Mauldin, her son, arrived at the residence and appeared distraught. Paula stated Daniel appeared "out of his mind" and he told her "Tara's dead." Paula then left Daniel at the residence with her husband Daniel W. Maulin (Dan) and drove to residence in Springfield while contacting 911. Dan arrived at 1619 S. Kentwood a short time later, accompanied by Daniel. Daniel provided consent for officers to search the residence upon his arrival.
I responded to the residence along with Detective N. McAmis #1102 around 1200 hours on September 2, 2014. Detective McAmis talked to Daniel about what had occurred. As Detective McAmis was talking to Daniel, he appeared to be hysterical and crying, but he did not have any tears in his eyes.
Detective McAmis asked Daniel what had happened and Daniel indicated that it appeared she had been beaten. Daniel agreed to accompany officers to Springfield Police Headquarters to make a statement reference the incident. While talking to Daniel, I noticed he had a swollen right hand and bruising on his elbows and legs. Daniel also had a swollen upper lip.
I interviewed Daniel at police headquarters and he provided a post Miranda statement reference the incident. Daniel told me he had been in a physical altercation with on the night of September 1, 2014, or the early morning hours of September 2, 2014. Daniel stated Tara received some injuries during the altercation which included him punching, kicking, and choking her. Daniel stated he left the residence and while he was away, an unidentified guest came to the residence and "finished her off."
Daniel claimed he returned to the residence and found Tara deceased in the living room of the residence. Daniel stated he attempted to clean up the residence after finding Tara deceased. Daniel also made the statement he had taken clothing when he left the residence because he was thinking about fleeing.
During a follow up investigation, a suitcase belonging to Daniel was seized from Paula's residence and was found to contain clothing and other items with what appeared to be stains consistent with blood. During the interview, Daniel claimed to have left the residence and returned after finding Tara deceased, but never attempted to contact 911.
The Greene County Medical Examiner's office was contacted during the course of an investigation and an autopsy is pending.
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