Northeast News

July 19, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Missouri – A Kansas City man charged on Monday, July 18 with Domestic Assault in the First Degree in the violent beating of a young boy had previously served jail time for domestic violence in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Twenty-nine year old Misipope Taliga was first arrested in December of 2008 for possessing a controlled substance and driving with a suspended license, among other traffic violations. Taliga was booked an additional seven times between 2011 and 2015 on charges including Child abuse, Domestic violence in presence of child, Assault, Use of weapon in fight/threat, Public intoxication, and Criminal mischief. Salt Lake City District Court officials told the Northeast News that in 2015, Taliga was sentenced to 180 days in prison, serving concurrent sentences for crimes he committed in December of 2013.

The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office now alleges that Taliga left a five-year-old boy bloody and unconscious on Sunday, July 17, after striking him multiple times in a home near 20th and Topping. Although officers were initially dispatched in response to an injury accident – which Taliga said occurred when the five-year-old was struck by a passing car – witnesses soon offered a conflicting version of events that pointed to possible domestic assault.

When authorities went inside of the residence, officers observed stains appearing to be blood in the living room. They found more apparent blood stains throughout the kitchen, as well as a red, saturated piece cloth on the floor. Additionally, officers found light red swirl marks on the kitchen floor.

The victim was transferred to Children’s Mercy hospital to be treated for injuries to his head. The victim also sustained bruises to his face, scalp, ears, shoulder, arms, and legs. The Prosecutor’s Office has requested a bond of $200,000 for Taliga.

Taliga’s full inmate rap sheet with the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office can be viewed here. Mug shots from Taliga’s previous arrests are posted below.