Honk News (Scott County, MO) – A mother from Missouri faces allegations of abandoning her 1-year-old for extended periods and failing to provide food for 43 hours, supposedly due to suffering from a migraine.
The Missouri Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control has reported that Alyssa Wehmeyer, 21, is under investigation in connection with the “suspicious” death of her 1-year-old on February 28. According to a statement from law enforcement, the infant exhibited indications of “severe malnutrition and neglect, leading to the child’s demise.”
Additional information in the probable cause affidavit indicated that Wehmeyer reportedly last fed her baby on February 26.
An affidavit revealed that the infant was discovered dead on February 28, and an autopsy was performed. Dehydration has been identified as the cause of death, with reports indicating “very little evidence of food in the stomach.” Police apprehended Wehmeyer and informed her of her rights before conducting an interview.
Wehmeyer reportedly informed authorities that she last fed her infant on February 26, between 5 and 6 p.m., which was around 36 hours prior to the estimated time of the baby’s death. On the next day, a full day after the last feeding, she settled the baby down for the night around 6:30 p.m. following a diaper change.
Authorities inquired with Wehmeyer regarding the “severe blisters” observed on the infant, indicative of diaper rash. She disclosed to the authorities that the last time she changed the baby’s diaper was “almost 19 hours” prior to the child’s estimated time of death.
In the early hours of Feb. 28, Wehmeyer responded to the sound of a baby crying, caring for the infant for approximately 30 to 40 minutes before returning the baby to bed. At approximately 1 p.m. on that day, Wehmeyer informed the authorities that the infant was unresponsive and the toddler exhibited blue lips. She informed the authorities that she ought to have brought the baby to the doctor on February 27, but she was experiencing a migraine and decided to take a nap instead.
Prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant, alleging that Wehmeyer neglected the baby for around 43 hours.
Wehmeyer faces serious charges following the tragic death of a child, with allegations of abuse or neglect leading to the incident. She is currently in custody at Scott County Jail with a cash bond set at $100,000. She is set to make her initial court appearance on March 6.
