Man charged with sexually abusing stepdaughters

Jan. 17--KEOKUK -- A La Grange, Missouri, man was arrested Wednesday morning following an investigation into allegations he sexually abused his stepdaughters.

The Lee County Sheriff's office arrested Bryce Anthony Gunsauls, 32, La Grange, on charges of two counts of second-degree sexual abuse, a class B felony; one count of child endangerment causing bodily injury, a class D felony; and one count of child endangerment, an aggravated misdemeanor.

According to court documents, the sheriff's office on Dec. 30 received a report of sex abuse involving two children under the age of 12 from the alleged victims' aunt, who learned of the alleged abuse from the two girls, ages 9 and 10.

The alleged abuse reportedly involved Gunsauls touching the young girls' genitals with both his fingers and genitalia several times over the past year.

"The victims stated that Gunsauls works third shift throughout the week and the abuse occurs on the weekends when he is at home and not working," the criminal complaint states.

During interviews with Child Protective Services, the younger of the two girls said Gunsauls "does bad stuff to her." She also recalled an incident of abuse by Gunsauls that occurred four years ago when she was sleeping on the couch.

"(She) advised that Gunsauls pulls her pants down and touches her 'private area' with his fingers and his 'private area," the criminal complaint states.

The 10-year-old child said her stepfather caused pain to her private area after touching it with his fingers and genitalia. She described him as moving his hand up and down while touching her privates. She also said he tries to unzip her pants to put his hand inside her underwear.

"(She) also advised that Gunsauls clothes are sometimes off or unzipped by his 'bad spot,'" the complaint states.

The child endangerment charges are a result of the reported sexual abuse in that he "knowingly" acted in a manner that "creates a substantial risk to a child or minor's physical, mental, and emotional health and safety," court documents state.

District Associate Judge Clinton R. Boddicker issued a warrant for Gunsauls' arrest Tuesday. He was taken into custody shortly before 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at 2530 255th St., Montrose.

Gunsauls is being held at the Lee County jail in lieu of a $57,500 cash only bond.

In the conditions of his release, Boddicker ordered that the defendant have no contact with either of the girls or anyone under the age of 18.

Gunsauls has demanded a preliminary hearing, during which time a judge will decide whether there is enough evidence to go to trial. His preliminary hearing is set for 11 a.m.Jan. 25 in the South Lee County Courthouse.

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