A mother from Kansas City, Missouri, Mariah Thomas, aged 26, has been arrested following accusations of placing her 1-month-old daughter in the oven for a nap instead of her crib, resulting in the tragic death of the baby.
Mariah Thomas is being charged with first-degree endangerment of a child leading to death, which, if convicted, could result in a sentence of 10 years to life imprisonment.
Based on the official documents, officers from the Kansas City Police Department were dispatched to a residence on Forest Avenue at approximately 1:30 pm on Friday in response to reports of an unresponsive infant.
Upon arrival, officers interviewed the individual who was cradling the 1-month-old infant, who displayed visible burn injuries on their body.
The Kansas City Fire Department also arrived at the scene and confirmed the unfortunate news of the baby’s passing.
As stated in charging documents, during a preliminary investigation, it was found that Thomas mistakenly placed the child in the oven instead of the crib while trying to put her down for a nap.
Baby Suffers Burns in Bodysuit and Diaper
As reported by authorities, the baby suffered burns on different areas of her body while wearing a bodysuit and a diaper.
According to authorities, the clothing seemed to have fused with the diaper. In the living room, there was a baby blanket that had noticeable burn marks.
Additionally, there was a pack and play that held baby blankets.
“The tragic nature of this incident is deeply acknowledged, and our hearts are heavy with sorrow for the loss of this precious life,” expressed Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker. “We have faith in the criminal justice system to handle these tragic circumstances with the necessary response.”