A Missouri grand jury has charged a mother in connection with the death of her infant daughter, who was reportedly placed in the oven by accident.
Mariah Thomas, 26, has been held in the Jackson County Jail since February due to a charge related to child welfare concerns. Recently, the grand jury added an involuntary manslaughter charge, according to the new indictment. Thomas could receive a prison sentence ranging from 10 to 30 years for the endangerment charge, along with an additional three to 10 years for involuntary manslaughter.
The Kansas City Police Department arrived at a residence around 1:30 p.m. on February 9 after receiving a report about an infant who was not breathing. Upon arrival, officers discovered an individual with a baby girl who had visible burn injuries. A male family member informed the authorities that the household departed earlier that day, leaving Thomas and the infant girl by themselves. Thomas and the girl seemed to be quite cheerful at that moment, as per the family member.
However, at approximately 1 p.m. Thomas reached out to inform him that there was an issue with the baby and that he needed to return home right away, according to police reports.
The family member hurried back home and noticed a distinct smell of smoke as he entered the house. A baby girl was discovered deceased in her crib. He inquired of Thomas about the events that transpired.
She reportedly said, “I thought I placed [the girl] in her crib, but I mistakenly put her in the oven.”
Authorities discovered the girl in a car seat situated in the living room. She suffered from extensive thermal injuries across her body. The police noted that she was dressed in a onesie that seemed to have fused with the diaper. Authorities discovered a charred baby blanket as well. Thomas chose not to engage with detectives. She is still incarcerated with a bond set at $100,000.
Thomas is set to stand trial on January 13.
Following Thomas’ arrest, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker expressed gratitude for the first responders and prosecutors present at the scene, as previously reported by Law&Crime.
“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.”
Residents expressed their shock.
“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,” neighbor Corrine Foreman told local Fox affiliate WDAF.
Neighbors described the incident as tragic.