Smithville woman arrested after tip leads to child sex crimes investigation [Not a woman! Photo]

SMITHVILLE, Mo. (KCTV) - A Smithville woman could spend up to three decades behind bars after a tip about possible child sex crimes led to her arrest. The Clay County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Office says that a 4-month investigation resulted in the arrest of 44-year-old Melissa Bottom, of Smithville, for the alleged possession of child pornography. The Sheriff’s Office indicated that detectives served a search warrant on Thursday, April 24, at Bottom’s home in the area of NE Armory and Lora St. Investigators received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in December 2024. Investigators said...