Woman, two children beaten in Charleston

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- A 32-year-old woman and a 3-year-old child were found dead in their home at 802 South Grand St., on Thursday, the victims of an apparent homicide. A 4-year-old child at the residence was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. According to Paul Johnson, chief of the Charleston Department of Public Safety, the victims all appeared to have been beaten with a blunt object. The bodies of the dead victims will be taken to Farmington for an autopsy. Police are withholding the identity of the victims at this time. There are at present no suspects. Charleston DPS is investigating with the assistance of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.