Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District / Jun 24, 2025
State of Missouri vs. Renee M. Collins
Renee M. Collins appealed her convictions for sexual trafficking, endangering the welfare, neglect, and rape of her biological daughter, the Victim. Collins argued the trial court abused its discretion by denying her motion to declare the Victim incompetent to testify and allowing her deposition to be published to the jury. The appellate court affirmed the judgment, holding that the trial court properly found the Victim met the traditional criteria for witness competence, despite her cognitive deficits, and therefore did not abuse its discretion.