Missouri Mother Charged After Allegedly Placing 1-Month-Old Baby in Hot Oven
Feb 14, 12:00 PM
Authorities in Missouri have leveled felony child endangerment charges against Mariah Thomas, a 26-year-old mother, following a tragic incident where her 1-month-old daughter was found dead after allegedly being placed in a hot oven.
According to court documents obtained by HuffPost, the harrowing event unfolded on Friday when Kansas City Police responded to a distressing 911 call reporting burn injuries on the infant. The baby was pronounced dead at the scene by firefighters.
Thomas purportedly claimed that she accidentally placed her baby daughter in the oven instead of her crib while attempting to put her down for a nap. The revelation came from Thomas' father, who recounted her distraught admission to investigators. He recalled Thomas stating that she had thought she was placing the baby in her crib but had mistakenly placed her in the oven.
The series of events leading up to the tragedy unfolded as follows:
- Thomas and the baby were described as being in good spirits by her father and were observed awake that morning.
- Thomas left the house with the baby around 8 a.m., but later, around 1 p.m., she called her mother in a state of hysteria, admitting to the grave mistake.
- Upon returning home, Thomas' husband discovered the unimaginable scene, with investigators noting apparent thermal injuries on the baby's body and significant burn marks on a blanket found nearby.
Despite her arrest, Thomas declined to speak with detectives. Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker expressed the somber gravity of the situation, stating, "We acknowledge the gruesome nature of this tragedy and our hearts are weighted by the loss of this precious life."
While the Jackson County Medical Examiner has yet to determine the exact cause of the baby's death, Baker alleged that Thomas knowingly put her child in harm's way, leading to the fatal outcome.
Currently held in the Jackson County Detention Center, Thomas awaits legal proceedings. Neither the prosecutor's office nor the circuit court has responded to inquiries about additional information or legal representation for Thomas. If convicted, Thomas faces the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence ranging from 10 to 30 years or even life, as outlined in court documents.
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According to court documents obtained by HuffPost, the harrowing event unfolded on Friday when Kansas City Police responded to a distressing 911 call reporting burn injuries on the infant. The baby was pronounced dead at the scene by firefighters.
Thomas purportedly claimed that she accidentally placed her baby daughter in the oven instead of her crib while attempting to put her down for a nap. The revelation came from Thomas' father, who recounted her distraught admission to investigators. He recalled Thomas stating that she had thought she was placing the baby in her crib but had mistakenly placed her in the oven.
The series of events leading up to the tragedy unfolded as follows:
- Thomas and the baby were described as being in good spirits by her father and were observed awake that morning.
- Thomas left the house with the baby around 8 a.m., but later, around 1 p.m., she called her mother in a state of hysteria, admitting to the grave mistake.
- Upon returning home, Thomas' husband discovered the unimaginable scene, with investigators noting apparent thermal injuries on the baby's body and significant burn marks on a blanket found nearby.
Despite her arrest, Thomas declined to speak with detectives. Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker expressed the somber gravity of the situation, stating, "We acknowledge the gruesome nature of this tragedy and our hearts are weighted by the loss of this precious life."
While the Jackson County Medical Examiner has yet to determine the exact cause of the baby's death, Baker alleged that Thomas knowingly put her child in harm's way, leading to the fatal outcome.
Currently held in the Jackson County Detention Center, Thomas awaits legal proceedings. Neither the prosecutor's office nor the circuit court has responded to inquiries about additional information or legal representation for Thomas. If convicted, Thomas faces the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence ranging from 10 to 30 years or even life, as outlined in court documents.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com