Judge denies requests to allow alleged murderer to put up property for bond

Defense Attorney Joshua Brown and Prosecuting Attorney Lee Pipkins both appeared before Associate Judge Raymond Gross for a bond reduction hearing for Patrice Santos-Duvalier, a Dora woman who is facing charges of murder and assaulting a special victim in Ozark County in connection with the death of a 37-year-old non-verbal disabled woman she was hired to care for. 

See “Dora caregiver charged with murder of mentally challenged woman” in the Jan. 22, 2025, edition or online at www.ozarkcountytimes.com for more details on the allegations.

Bond reduced to $30,000

Online records indicate that Brown had appeared with his client on Jan. 21, for a bond hearing, requesting the option to post a property bond. 

An order from the judge issued after the hearing says that Santos-Duvalier owns real estate in Ozark County, and the land is worth approximately $37,500. There are tax liens against the property for the last three years, totaling $2,329.43. If the tax liabilities are not resolved, the land would be sold by the Ozark County Collector in August 2025, due to the non-paid taxes. The document says that the woman admitted that she is seeking to sell the land, and if so, its value would be further reduced by closing costs and realtor fees, assuming there are no other undisclosed liabilities that may further reduce her interest in the sale proceeds. 

“The court does not believe this land provides sufficient security and rejects same,” the order says. 

The judge re-set Santos-Duvalier’s bond at $30,000 cash-only. 

She remained in the Ozark County Jail as of presstime Tuesday. She is scheduled to reappear before Judge Gross at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 11, for a criminal setting. 

Violating ex-parte order

Online court documents show that  Santos-Duvalier has two other cases that have been recently filed against her. 

In one case, she faces a felony charge of violating an ex-parte order of protection against an adult.

According to the probable cause statement in that case, prepared by Ozark County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Sherman, the officer was contacted by a man who had an ex-parte order of protection, sometimes referred to as a “no contact order,” against Santos-Duvalier. 

The man told the officer that after court on Jan. 9, where both Santos-Duvalier and the man had appeared to handle their ex-parte order, she sent him a text message. The message said, “Are ya able to talk. Then call me I need your help.”

The victim didn’t respond, but he was aware whose number the text came from. He wanted to pursue charges. 

Court records show that the text message was sent three days before a warrant was issued for her arrest in the murder case. 

She is also represented in the case by Attorney Brown and scheduled to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 11 in that case. 

Other cases

Other Ozark County cases, charging her with financially exploiting a disabled person and misdemeanor abuse of elderly, disabled or vulnerable person, has been set for jury trial later this year. 

In those cases, she is represented by Defense Attorney Donald Young. 

She also faces a stealing charge in Howell County in relation to allegations that she stole items from Dollar General.