AURORA, MO. (THECOUNT) — Amy Rinkler, 40, is accused of threatening to kill her daughter if the girl refused to make false child abuse allegations against her father amid a bitter custody dispute in Lawrence County, Missouri, according to court records.
The Aurora Police Department began investigating in April after receiving a child abuse report. According to a probable cause arrest affidavit, the alleged conduct occurred between 2024 and 2026.
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The girl told investigators she did not feel safe at Rinkler’s home because her mother allegedly hit her and threatened to kill her. Rinkler is accused of directing the child to tell investigators that her father had hit, kicked and cursed at her, even though the allegations were reportedly untrue.
According to the affidavit, Rinkler allegedly made her daughter rehearse written statements kept in a folder, often late at night or on weekends. The girl also alleged that her mother hit her when she made mistakes while practicing the statements, cursed at her, repeatedly put her down and called her stupid.
Counselors who interviewed the girl described her as being in a “terrible emotional state.” Police said she kept her head down, avoided eye contact and speaking, and would not allow herself to be touched during interviews. One counselor reportedly concluded that the trauma was consistent with the child’s fear of seeing her mother and sister after allegedly being coerced into making the statements.
Investigators also said officials involved in the custody case had concerns about earlier statements made by the girl and her sister because the accounts were largely identical and appeared to have been influenced by their mother, according to the affidavit.
Rinkler denied coaching her daughter, threatening her or possessing the folder containing the alleged fabricated statements, police said.
Rinkler was booked into the Lawrence County Jail on Wednesday and remains held without bond. She faces a child abuse charge, and her next court date is scheduled for October 19.
Aurora is a city in Lawrence County in southwest Missouri, within the broader Springfield metropolitan region.
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