Kansas City Crime Scene: Lab Progress, Fundraiser & More Trafficking Deets

Another quick roundup of local crime news, alleged misdeeds and bittersweet news . . .

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Extra staff, technology helps KCPD Crime Lab drop case backlog by half

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department Crime Laboratory is catching up on a years-long case backlog. "We always let survivors know when they're making the decision that's best for them, that the criminal justice process is not a quick process," said Victoria Pickering, director of advocacy for the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assaul t (MOCSA).

Olathe man now facing murder charge after medical examiner declares death homicide

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - An Olathe man is charged with the murder of his stepson after the county's medical examiner declared the victim's death a homicide. Christopher Barwick, 51, had been charged in Johnson County District Court with attempted murder in the shooting of Bryson Smith, 26.

Undercover officers arrest 22 in human trafficking sting

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. - Twenty-two people have been arrested as a result of a human trafficking sting operation that took place April 25-26. The operation initiated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Kansas City focused on "identifying and rescuing victims who were being trafficked for sexual exploitation".

KCK crews working to recover body found in Kansas River near GM plant

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Police are investigating after a body was located in the Kansas River Friday night in Kansas City, Kansas. Police received the report around 6 p.m. after a group of fishermen discovered the body in the area of the Fairfax General Motors plant and the 7th Street Trafficway bridge.

KC Criminal Task Force honored with award

Kansas City Police Department Chief Stacey Graves was the keynote speaker at the free luncheon, which was held at First Baptist Church of Platte City and was attended by more than 100 people.

Fundraiser started to bury 6-year-old fatally shot while playing outside house in KCK

Family members of the 6-year-old boy fatally shot while playing outside of his Kansas City, Kansas, home have started a fundraiser to help with burial costs. On Wednesday evening, the child, Sir'Antonio Brown, was killed, according to witnesses, when three masked gunmen exited a car in the 3100 block of Greeley Avenue and a volley of gunfire followed.

KC advocacy group makes Mother's Day cards for families of homicide victims

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Holidays like Mother's Day can be a painful time for some families. Every year the day reminds Rosilyn Temple of the loss she suffered more than a decade ago. Temple lost her son, Antonio Thompson, 11 years ago. He was killed in a shooting in Kansas City.

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