A grand jury in Missouri has indicted a mother accused of killing her infant daughter by allegedly “accidentally” placing her in an oven.
Mariah Thomas, 26, has been held in the Jackson County Jail since February on charges of endangering the welfare of a child. Last week, the grand jury added an involuntary manslaughter charge to her case. If convicted, Thomas could face 10 to 30 years in prison for the endangerment charge and an additional three to 10 years for involuntary manslaughter.
Details of the Incident
This Article Includes
According to the probable cause affidavit, Kansas City Police responded to a call on February 9 around 1:30 p.m. about a “non-breathing infant.” Upon arrival, officers found someone holding a baby girl with visible burn injuries. A male relative told authorities that the family had left the home earlier that day, leaving Thomas alone with the baby. At that time, both appeared to be in “good spirits,” he said.
Around 1 p.m., Thomas called the relative, saying there was “something wrong with the baby” and urging him to come home immediately.
When the relative arrived, he reported smelling smoke as he entered the house. Inside, he found the baby girl deceased in her crib. When he confronted Thomas about what happened, she allegedly responded, “I thought I put [the girl] in her crib and I accidentally put her in the oven.”
Investigation Findings
Police discovered the infant in a car seat placed in the living room, her body bearing severe burn injuries. Her onesie appeared to have melted onto her diaper. Investigators also recovered a burned baby blanket at the scene.
Thomas declined to speak with detectives and remains in custody on a $100,000 bond.
Trial and Community Reaction
Thomas is scheduled to go to trial on January 13, according to the Kansas City Star.
Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker expressed her condolences following Thomas’ arrest, acknowledging the horrifying nature of the case.
“We acknowledge the gruesome nature of this tragedy, and our hearts are weighted by the loss of this precious life,” Baker said. “We trust the criminal justice system to respond appropriately to these awful circumstances.”
Neighbors were left shocked and heartbroken by the incident.
“Within a matter of minutes, I heard sirens. The next thing I know, there’s a baby carrier being transported between the [ambulance] and the house,” said Corrine Foreman, a neighbor, speaking to Fox affiliate WDAF.
Amber Morgan, another neighbor, expressed her sorrow. “I’m pretty shocked by it and appalled that there’s a death in our neighborhood. It’s sad, especially when it’s a child. No child should be leaving here,” she said.
The community continues to grapple with the tragedy as Thomas awaits her day in court.
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