ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A north St. Louis County man was charged with abuse, kidnapping and assault after police said he terrorized his girlfriend and her 8-year-old son in several incidents spanning nearly a year.
Rodney Q. Wilson, 52, was charged Wednesday with one count each of first-degree kidnapping and third-degree assault and two counts each of child abuse and second-degree domestic assault. All of the charges are felonies.
“It’s a very disturbing case. How someone can do these types of things allegedly to a child or what have you is just beyond comprehension,” St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell said.
Wilson, also known as "Hot Rod," was believed to have fled the state, according to court documents.
Wilson was arrested Friday morning in the 3600 block of Chippewa Street in St. Louis. He was initially booked at the St. Louis City Justice Center before being transferred Saturday morning to the St. Louis County Jail in Clayton.
According to a probable cause statement, in July 2023, Wilson tied his girlfriend's son to a pole in the basement, physically assaulted the child and left him tied there for 12 hours, police said.
Sometime between August and September, police said, Wilson again beat the boy and "scalped" him, leaving a 7-by-3-inch wound on his head.
The boy witnessed Wilson strangling his mother on Sept. 13, and Wilson strangled her again on Feb. 22, police said. The February strangulation left her in the hospital.
“The woman is still in the hospital from injuries we believe the defendant is responsible for,” Bell said.
Police said officers had previously responded to calls at the home, including in March 2021 when Wilson punched the woman's sister in the face multiple times.
“We are very confident in the strength of the evidence, and we intend to hold Mr. Wilson accountable. We’re going to do everything that we can do to bring justice the victims in this case,” Bell said.
Wilson is being held without bond.
Resources for crime victims
If you have been a victim of a crime or know someone who has been, 5 On Your Side has compiled a list of resources.
The Crime Victim Center of St. Louis has multiple programs to support victims of crime. Crime Victim Center’s programs range from direct services to crime victims as well as “creating awareness and change within the systems they encounter.”
Life Outside of Violence "helps those harmed by stabbing, gunshot or assault receive the treatment, support and resources they need to find alternatives to end the cycle of violence."
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has the Neighborhood Healing Network, which serves people who have experienced crime, violence or been the victim of an incident that caused trauma.
To watch 5 On Your Side broadcasts or reports 24/7, 5 On Your Side is always streaming on 5+. Download for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV or the Apple TV App Store.