How Could You? Hall of Shame-Patricia Liggenstoffer

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Nixa, Missouri, respite foster parent, Patricia Liggenstoffer, 40, “is accused of failing to immediately report suspected sexual abuse after a 12-year-old child was allegedly assaulted while staying at her home.

According to online court dockets, Patricia Liggenstoffer, born in 1986, is charged with two counts of failure of mandated reporter to report child abuse, which are Class A misdemeanors.

The probable cause statement says Nixa Police Department officers were notified Feb. 21 of a reported sexual assault involving a child at a respite foster home on North Hightower Avenue.

Respite care providers offer temporary support for children in foster care, giving foster parents time for rest, personal needs or emergencies.

Police said a 12-year-old was allegedly sexually assaulted by a 17-year-old while staying at the home.

Investigators said Liggenstoffer learned about the alleged assault and contacted the 17-year-old’s case manager, who instructed her to report the incident to Missouri’s child abuse and neglect hotline.

The statement says Liggenstoffer later learned that a 13-year-old had also allegedly sexually assaulted the same child.

Police allege Liggenstoffer, who was a licensed respite foster parent and mandated reporter, did not immediately report the suspected abuse.

Liggenstoffer told investigators that she and her husband believed law enforcement had already responded and the children’s case workers were aware of what happened, according to the statement.

Police said the couple decided they would get some sleep and make a hotline report later, according to the statement.

She’s due in court Oct. 17. ”

Nixa respite foster parent accused of delaying child abuse hotline report

[Ozarks First 8/11/26 by Kathryn Skopec]

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