Woman Escapes After Alleged Kidnapping and Hours-Long Assault at Remote Campsite
- John Eads
- Mar 27
- 2 min read
LINCOLN COUNTY, MO — A woman was found walking along a roadway after escaping a remote campsite in Lincoln County following what authorities allege was a violent overnight assault involving strangulation, threats with a knife, and repeated attempts to flee.
Timothy Scott Smith II
Charges:
Domestic Assault – 2nd Degree
Kidnapping – 2nd Degree
Unlawful Use of a Weapon – Subsection 4
Armed Criminal Action
The incident began March 20 during a camping trip in a wooded, off-trail area of Lincoln County.
According to the allegations, the two had gone to the campsite to talk when the situation escalated after Smith saw a message on her phone that infuriated him.
What followed, authorities say, was a prolonged and violent assault.
She reported being knocked to the ground and choked to the point she could not breathe, before being kicked and having her head forced into the ground. Throughout the night, she attempted to escape multiple times, but each time was chased down, restrained, and assaulted again.
At one point, Smith is accused of pulling a fixed-blade knife, pinning her against a tree, and holding it to her throat. He allegedly threatened to bind her using duct tape and zip ties and leave her restrained at the remote campsite.
The isolation of the location made it difficult to get help.
She told authorities she screamed during the assault, but no one could hear her.
The violence continued into the morning hours.
Authorities say that while Smith was packing up the campsite, she was briefly given her phone back, though it was no longer working. As she attempted to gather her belongings and leave, she saw him grab duct tape and approach her again. She dropped everything and ran into the woods.
She remained hidden until she heard his vehicle leave the area.
She later made her way to a roadway, where a passing driver stopped and gave her a ride.
Deputies later located the campsite approximately a quarter mile off a trail, along with discarded duct tape nearby.
Authorities documented visible injuries, including marks on her neck consistent with strangulation, a laceration to the front of her neck she said was caused by a knife, bruising to her wrist, cuts on her legs, and a noticeable limp.
Smith later surrendered himself to authorities on an unrelated warrant.
During questioning, authorities say he acknowledged the camping trip and confirmed he had a knife with him, but denied that an assault occurred. He also admitted to removing his ankle monitor and planning to leave the area.
A charge is merely an accusation. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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This article was written by John Eads for Lincoln CountyWatch. Information is based on court filings.