Charges Filed in Missouri Against Larson

Additional criminal charges regarding the alleged abduction of a 13-year-old girl have been filed in Missouri against Altamont resident Steven Larson.

The 60-year-old Larson has been charged in New Madrid County, Missouri with counts of child kidnapping, statuatory rape in the first degree and child molestation in the first degree. The counts were filed today according to information shared with the Effingham County State's Attorney's office.

The charges are in addition to two charges of kidnapping, and counts of unlawful restraint, obstructing justice and indecent solicitation of a child filed against Larson in Effingham County after the January 31 disappearance of Larson and the girl. The girl was supposed to be going with Larson to a karate lesson when they instead left the state and were found early the next morning at a motel in Sikeston, Missouri.

In Effingham County Circuit Court Wednesday morning, Larson made his initial appearance with Effingham County Public Defender Scott Schmidt. A preliminary hearing in the case was set for March 5 at 11am.

Larson remains in Effingham County Jail under $250,000 bond.