A Kansas City, Mo., woman who claims she inadvertently placed her newborn in an oven instead of a cot in February has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the infant’s death.
According to a Jackson County Prosecutor press release dated February 10, Mariah Thomas, 26, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree and child death for the February 9 event. According to The Kansas City Star, an involuntary manslaughter charge was added by a Jackson County grand jury on Thursday, December 5.
According to Michael Mansur, director of communication for the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, and Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, Thomas told authorities she was attempting to put her 1-month-old down for a nap, but instead of doing so, she placed the child in a smoldering oven.
Kansas City police were sent shortly before 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 9 after receiving a report of a “non-breathing infant,” according to court records obtained by PEOPLE. They also discovered visible burns on the baby’s body and stated that the infant’s garments had melted.
“We appreciate all first responders who worked this scene and the prosecutors who went to the scene to issue these charges,” Baker said in the prosecutor’s office release at the time.
“We recognize the horrible nature of this tragedy, and the loss of this wonderful life weighs heavily on our hearts. “We trust the criminal justice system to respond appropriately to these terrible circumstances,” Baker added.
“I thought I put (redacted) in her crib and I accidentally put her in the oven,” Thomas allegedly told an anonymous adult who resided in the home, according to court filings.
The person had been at work but returned home after receiving a “hysterical” phone call from Thomas about the infant. According to KMBC, the incident occurred at a residence at 41st Street and Forest Avenue in the Manheim Park neighborhood. Thomas has pled not guilty.
The Kansas City Star says that Thomas’ trial will commence on January 13, 2025.
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