Woman Accused of Trading Child for Monkey Faces Felony Charges in Missouri
A woman accused of trading a child for a monkey is now facing felony charges following a chilling child abuse investigation. The suspect, Brenda Deutsch, is a longtime foster mother who’s taken in over 200 children—but her past is now under heavy scrutiny.
Police launched an investigation after an anonymous tip revealed Deutsch may have arranged to swap a child for an exotic monkey, exposing layers of alleged abuse and neglect.
From Foster Mom to Felon: The Case of Brenda Deutsch
According to The Independent, Deustch fostered more than 200 children over the years. But behind that foster care resume was a dark, bizarre twist—an alleged animal obsession that led to criminal behavior.
A witness reportedly came forward with information that opened the floodgates. According to Lincoln County Prosecutor Mike Wood, the tipster claimed Deutsch once requested they take a child to Texas in exchange for a monkey.
“A witness who had come forward with some information regarding the systemic abuse that was going on in the home, had said that they had been asked to bring the child down to Texas and bring the monkey back in return,”
That wild accusation triggered a deeper investigation into her home and her treatment of children in her care.
Neglect, Abuse, and a House of Horrors
Police say the girl involved was found alone in a dirty house in Texas—surrounded by animals and dangerous living conditions. Authorities described the home as being filled with filth and trash, and completely unfit for a child.
In the probable cause statement, Deutsch is accused of:
- Sending the child to Texas with a friend
- Using objects like shoes and paddles to strike the child
- Stealing the child’s clothes as punishment
- Subjecting the girl to both mental and physical abuse
The investigation officially kicked off on November 21, after the Missouri Department of Social Services Children’s Division received an anonymous tip. That tip, which detailed alleged long-term abuse, quickly escalated when the child was reported missing and later found out of state.
Legal Fallout: What’s Next for the Woman Accused of Trading Child for Monkey
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If charged, Brenda Deutsch faces three felonies:
- Child Neglect
- Child Abuse
- Child Endangerment
Each charge carries a serious time if convicted, and prosecutors are reportedly weighing whether additional charges could be filed as more witnesses step forward. The girl is now safe and under protective custody, but investigators say this may just be the beginning.
