Paul Barnard
FESTUS, Mo. (Oct. 22, 2025) — A Festus woman is facing multiple felony charges for burglaries after authorities say she unlawfully entered several homes in Jefferson County in recent months, in some cases stealing money and falsely claiming to be a caregiver or therapist.
Antoni D. Burks, age 29, of Festus, has been charged with two counts of first-degree burglary, one count of trespassing, and is the subject of three police reports tied to separate incidents between September and October 2025, according to court documents filed by the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
The first reported incident occurred on Sept. 16, when Burks allegedly entered a home uninvited, claiming she was there to provide therapy to a female resident. The victim declined treatment and contacted her actual therapist, who confirmed no session had been scheduled. Burks later returned with a document she claimed was a refusal form, which was reviewed by a caretaker and described as a “grade school worksheet.” Nothing was reported stolen in that incident.
On Oct. 2, deputies responded to another call involving Burks unlawfully entering a home where a woman was alone. The victim told authorities she heard footsteps and discovered an unknown woman, later identified as Burks, standing in her bedroom doorway. Burks allegedly claimed she had “mixed up” houses. After escorting her out, the victim discovered her purse had been tampered with and approximately $50 was missing. During an interview, Burks admitted to entering the residence and walking down the hallway before being confronted.
A third incident occurred on Oct. 20, when a man reported that he was lying in bed with earbuds in when he saw Burks in the doorway of his bedroom. She asked about a newspaper for a neighbor and requested to use the bathroom, which the homeowner allowed. Afterward, Burks appeared to linger near the front door. The homeowner’s wife later noticed her purse had been disturbed and $20 was missing. Burks later admitted to entering the home and walking to the bedroom.
Prosecutors allege that burglaries on at least two occasions, Sept. 10 and Oct. 15, Burks unlawfully entered homes with the intent to steal while the residents were present, leading to two counts of first-degree burglary, a Class B felony in Missouri. She also faces a misdemeanor charge of first-degree trespass related to an incident on Sept. 8.
No injuries were reported in any of the incidents. As of Wednesday, an arrest warrant had been issued.
The above charges of burglaries are mere accusation and not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
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