A tragic incident in Kansas City, Missouri has resulted in the charging of Mariah Thomas, a resident of the area, with a felony. The charges stem from an incident where Thomas allegedly placed her 1-month-old baby in an oven, resulting in the infant’s death, as announced by Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker in a press release on Saturday.
According to the authorities, the distressing event unfolded earlier in the week when a 911 call reported an unresponsive infant. Upon arrival, the police discovered the baby with severe burns, leading them to uncover the shocking revelation that the child had been placed in an oven instead of her crib, according to The Guardian.
Despite efforts from the Kansas City Fire Department, who also responded to the scene, the baby was tragically declared dead. A criminal complaint detailed the grim scene, describing the infant found in the living room with thermal injuries on various parts of her body, along with clothing melted onto her diaper, indicative of the intense heat she was subjected to,” according to Fox 4.
Further evidence collected from the scene included a burnt baby blanket, underscoring the severity of the situation. Before the authorities’ arrival, the baby’s grandfather, upon returning home, detected the smell of smoke and eventually discovered the heartbreaking sight of his granddaughter deceased in her crib.
Thomas allegedly admitted to the tragic mistake, stating that she had accidentally placed the baby in the oven. Consequently, she now faces a Class A felony charge of Endangering the Welfare of a Child in the 1st Degree, Death of a Child, which carries a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life imprisonment if found guilty.
As of now, it remains unclear whether Thomas has secured legal representation to provide commentary on her behalf.
