A 23-year-old mother from Missouri is confronting serious felony charges after reportedly leaving her 4-month-old daughter unattended at home for an unspecified duration while she went out to “score.”
Kaitlyn Maire Estes was arrested earlier this month and faces charges of first-degree abandonment of a child and first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, according to court records.
An investigator from the Missouri Department of Social Services Children’s Division visited Estes’ residence in the 3200 block of S Grand Avenue around 11:45 a.m. on October 2, 2024, to continue an ongoing investigation, as detailed in a probable cause affidavit.
As the investigator approached the residence, she knocked on the door multiple times, noting the sound of a baby crying from within. The investigator, aware that Estes had a young child, persisted in knocking for approximately 45 minutes before ultimately deciding to contact law enforcement.
Authorities arrived at the residence and confirmed that Estes’ vehicle was absent from the premises.
Due to the deadbolt being secured from within, authorities requested the property manager’s assistance to gain entry into the residence and check on the welfare of the distressed infant.
“Upon entry, officers located a four-month-old female in the bedroom. The baby was wedged between the adult-sized bed mattress and the wall,” police wrote in the affidavit. “A blanket had been pulled across the face of the baby. Officers removed the baby from the bed. In doing so, they noted her diaper was extremely soiled and sagging. The baby was crying and appeared to be in distress. Bruising on the face area was also observed. No other person was located in the residence.”
Along with the discovery of the infant, authorities reported finding a handwritten note affixed to the bedroom wall that stated: “Went to go score be right back.”
Officials could not find Estes, leading to the child being taken into the care of the Children’s Center, where she received a CARE exam. Medical professionals conducting the examination reported noticing bruises on the child’s cheeks and the left side of her face, along with dermatitis and skin deterioration caused by the dirty diaper she had on.
Three days later, Estes was found and taken into custody. A judge has set her bond at $5,000 following her arraignment. As of Tuesday morning, records indicate that she is still being held at the Newton County Jail. Her court appearance for a bond reduction hearing is set for Tuesday afternoon.
Reference: Mom left 4-month-old ‘wedged’ between mattress and wall while she ‘went to go score’: Police