Wright City Man Held Without Bond on Multiple Child Molestation Charges
WRIGHT CITY, Mo. — A young girl said Philip Howard Schmidt slapped her when she resisted him, sexually assaulted her and then warned that he would return if she told anyone.
Schmidt, a Wright City man, is now being held without bond on multiple felony child molestation charges.
Philip Schmidt, Wright City, Mo.
CHARGES
First-degree child molestation — two Class A felony counts
First-degree child molestation — Class E felony
Third-degree domestic assault
The investigation began in July 2026 after information surfaced about a possible sexual offense at a Warren County residence.
During a forensic interview, the girl described staying with relatives in July 2024. She said Schmidt entered her room one evening and ordered her to remove her pants.
When she refused, the girl said Schmidt slapped her across the face. Afraid he would strike her again, she followed his instructions.
The girl then described being sexually assaulted on a bed while Schmidt kissed several areas of her body.
When he stopped, she said Schmidt warned that if she ever told anyone, he would come back and do it again.
The victim is a relative of Schmidt and was younger than 12 when the assault was reported to have occurred. Warren CountyWatch is withholding her exact age, relationship to Schmidt and other identifying details to protect her privacy.
The reported assault occurred approximately two years before the investigation began. Schmidt’s third-degree domestic assault charge stems from the girl’s account that he struck her after she initially resisted his demand.
A Warren County judge found grounds to believe Schmidt presented a danger to the victim, the community or another person and ordered him detained pending trial without bond.
Schmidt remains in custody. No hearing had been scheduled in the case as of Sunday, Nov. 2.
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Sources: Warren County Sheriff’s Department records and Warren County Circuit Court records.
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