Wasola woman charged with statutory rape, incest

Tabatha R. Adam, 27, of Wasola, is facing two felony charges of statutory rape and incest after officers say a test was performed that proves her child was fathered by her underage relative.

According to the probable cause affidavit, the investigation began last October when the Ozark County Sheriff’s Office received information of the rape of an underage male from the Missouri Department of Social Services Children’s Division. The crime had reportedly occurred in November of 2016. Genetic testing was done on the child which proved the child was the product of an incestuous relationship. Birth records show the father is listed as “John Doe.” Children’s Division records indicate Adam refused to provide a father’s name.

A search warrant was issued for the DNA of the underage relative. When the victim was brought in to the sheriff’s office and told they were investigating Adam for incest, he admitted to having sexual contact with her and reportedly said he was likely the father of the child.

He told investigators the relationship began when he was about 15 and she was 18. Adam was 20 when the child was conceived. The victim says the sexual relationship continued even after the child was born.

Adam was arrested on March 20 and arraigned in the case the next day. She was scheduled for a bond reduction hearing Tuesday, March 26. Results were not available presstime.