Woman Sentenced for Child Molestation and Statutory Sodomy

Attorney General Chris Koster announced today that Macon County Circuit Court Judge Rick Tucker sentenced Melinda S. Tillitt, 39, of Shelbina, to prison terms totaling 90 years. Tillett received consecutive terms of 15 years each for five counts of statutory sodomy in the first degree and one count of child molestation in the first degree. Since at least 2007, Tillitt had sexually abused two female children, ages 8-14, in her household, by engaging in a variety of acts of deviate sexual intercourse, at times holding the children under water to compel compliance.

Tillett’s husband, Kevin T. Tillitt of Shelbina, is charged with rape and sodomy against the victims, and is scheduled for a trial on May 9, 2017, in Adair County after a change of venue.

The case was investigated by the Shelbina Police Department after the victims disclosed to a trusted church member, and it was tried by Shelby County Prosecuting Attorney Jordan Force with the assistance of Monty Platz of the Missouri Attorney General's Office. The case was heard on a change of venue by a Macon County jury.

“It is unimaginable that a parent would so betray the trust of her children,” Koster said. “The long sentence gives them a measure of security that they will not be hurt by her again.”

Press release from the office of Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster