Man who claimed to be Jesus and Satan accused of cutting his leg off in front of daughter
09/14/2022 1:54 pm PDT
BOONE COUNTY, Ark. (TCD) -- A 48-year-old man faces a child endangerment charge after allegedly using a saw to cut off his leg in front of a little girl.
According to Shannon Cox’s arrest warrant, on Tuesday, Aug. 2, Boone County Sheriff’s Office officials went to Cox’s home and found the man "lying in front of the residence naked, and missing a portion of his right leg."
One of the corporals asked Cox how his leg got injured, and Cox allegedly said, "With a chop saw." Emergency officials then airlifted Cox to a hospital in Springfield, Missouri.
Investigators searched the scene at the residence and reportedly found "blood spatter on the floor of the residence leading to a large Ridged brand chop saw. There was blood on the saw and blood spatter on the wall."
A corporal showed the other official "photos he had taken with Cox’s leg in place still lying on the saw."
Outside, Boone County officials reportedly saw a car with its hood up and a 20-pound propane cylinder on the battery, as well as Cox’s license plate. The vehicle reportedly had ashes inside and a rear window was broken.
Cox’s 5-year-old daughter was reportedly present at the time of the amputation, but his wife, Sandy, was not. Sandy went to the Sheriff’s station for an interview and told officials Shannon "had been acting odd all day long."
According to the affidavit, "Sandy said he was telling her that he was Jesus Christ and that she needed to get right with the Lord. Sandy then said he became violent towards her and said he was Satan."
Shannon allegedly told Sandy "he was going to twist her head off" and made other verbal threats.
Sandy told deputies Shannon never hurt her, but she left and stayed at a friend’s house because "she was scared Shannon would kill her."
The corporal asked Sandy why she didn’t take her daughter with her, and she reportedly said she "was worried about Shannon killing her and wasn’t worried about her daughter."
On Aug. 3, the 5-year-old daughter spoke with investigators at a child advocacy center and allegedly said she was present when her father cut his leg off. The little girl reportedly "did seem to still be in some state of shock and would keep trying to steer away from the conversation."
Court records show Shannon and Sandy were both charged Sept. 8 with endangering the welfare of a minor. His next court date is scheduled for Oct. 18.
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