Attorneys for James Phelps request new judge in kidnapping case of Cassidy Rainwater

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) - Attorneys for a man at the center of a kidnapping case in Dallas County asked for a change of judge.

Attorneys requested the change in the case of James Phelps. Phelps and Timothy Norton face charges in the kidnapping of Cassidy Rainwater.

KY3 News first broke the news of the case in mid-September. FBI investigators contacted detectives in Dallas County saying they received photos from an anonymous person showing Rainwater in a cage. Investigators say a detective recognized Rainwater in a partially nude state. After searching Phelps’ phone, officials discovered seven photos of Rainwater.

According to detectives, Rainwater had been staying with Phelps while she got on her feet. Investigators say Phelps claims she had left in the middle of the night at the end of July and he had not seen her since then.

Prior to the request from Phelps’ attorney, a preliminary hearing in his case was scheduled for Nov. 5, 2021. Dallas County Judge Lisa Henderson was expected to hear the cases of Phelps and Timothy Norton, a second kidnapping suspect.

According to court records, attorneys for Timothy Norton filed a motion to address his bond and possibly seek a release from jail. A court date regarding this motion has not yet been announced.

No additional charges have yet been filed in the case. Our team of reporters has been in constant contact with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, but no further details are being released pending forensic results.

To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com