Tag: Americas

  • 2 Fla. caregivers arrested after kids found living in home with rot, mold, and buckets of urine

    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (TCD) — Police recently arrested the caregivers of two young children who were found to be living in an unkempt residence filled with drugs and “utter filth.”

    In a Feb 12 news release, St. Petersburg Police said officers responded to a home in “deplorable condition” with rot and mold, where they located two unresponsive adults, 49-year-old Nathan Larkins and 31-year-old Cortney Poling. They were reportedly “surrounded by drug paraphernalia.”

    Police said there appeared to be cigarette butts on the floor and “buckets of urine.”

    According to an affidavit reviewed by WTSP-TV, officers discovered various pipes used for marijuana and crack cocaine.

    Officials located a 1-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy, whose primary caregivers were Larkins and Poling. Both children were reportedly covered in bug bites and rashes, had lice, and had not been properly bathed recently.

    Larkins allegedly burned the boy’s chest and arms with cigarettes numerous times, causing permanent scarring.

    According to WTSP, one of the children had a “flimsy” baby gate that could easily be taken off, giving the child access to drugs in “plain view.”

    The home’s door had allegedly been removed off the hinges and was leaning against the frame.

    WTSP reports the knives and other dangerous items in the home were “easily accessible” to the children.

    Inside the fridge, investigators reportedly found various condiments, a package of bologna, and eggs, but there wasn’t anything else to properly nourish the children.

    The minors had allegedly lived in the residence for approximately three months. Officers said they removed the children from the home and arrested Larkins and Poling on two counts of child neglect. Larkins also faces a charge of child abuse — aggravated battery causing great bodily harm.

    Larkins and Poling both remain held in the Pinellas County Jail.

    According to WTSP, an overdose was reported at the home about a week before the arrests.

    MORE:

    • Two Adults Charged with Child Neglect – St. Petersburg Police Department
    • Children found living in ‘utter filth’ in St. Petersburg home; 2 people arrested for child neglect – WTSP
    • Pinellas County Jail

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  • Mom arrested after 4-year-old was found driving car with 2-year-old inside

    CINCINNATI (TCD) — Police arrested a 23-year-old mother after her 4-year-old child was reportedly found driving a car with a toddler as a passenger.

    WXIX-TV reports on the evening of Feb. 11, Cincinnati Police officers were called to a domestic incident on Winton Road and discovered a 4-year-old at the wheel of a Honda Accord with a 2-year-old child also inside the vehicle. The 4-year-old was reportedly driving and reversing in a parking space. Police were ultimately able to stop the car and park it.

    Cincinnati Police arrested the mother, Theresa Smith, on Feb. 12.. She was booked into the Hamilton County Jail on two counts of endangering children. Her bond was set at $10,000.

    MORE:

    • Cincinnati mom facing charges after 4-year-old found driving car with 2-year-old inside: Court docs – WXIX
    • Hamilton County Jail inmate information

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  • Tenn. man sentenced for stalking ex, shooting at her repeatedly, and fleeing to Texas

    KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (TCD) — A 45-year-old man will spend more than four decades behind bars for stalking his ex-girlfriend and trying to kill her in a gas station in 2022 before fleeing to Texas.

    Knox County District Attorney General Charme Allen announced Tuesday, Feb. 13, that a judge sentenced Jomo Berry to 41 years in the Tennessee Department of Corrections after a jury convicted him in December 2023 of 15 counts, including attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, and aggravated stalking.

    On Dec. 15, 2022, Berry followed his ex-girlfriend as she drove on Interstate 40, and he shot at her vehicle at least 14 times. Berry’s ex reportedly drove to a Casey’s gas station on Rutledge Pike for safety. Once there, two employees helped her hide in a back storage room and locked the door, Allen said.

    Berry went into the gas station armed with his firearm looking for his ex. According to the district attorney general’s office, he failed to find the victim and went into her car to steal numerous items.

    Following the incident, Berry fled to McKinney, Texas, where U.S. Marshals took him into custody and extradited the man back to Tennessee. According to Allen, at the time of his arrest, Berry was wanted by Knoxville Police for two previous offenses in which he allegedly shot at the victim.

    Allen said in a statement, “Without a doubt, the bravery of the Casey’s employees saved this woman’s life.”

    MORE:

    • News Release – Knox County District Attorney General’s Office
    • Stalker Repeatedly Shoots at Ex-Girlfriend before Fleeing to Texas, 12/7/2023 – Knox County District Attorney General’s Office

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  • Man convicted of fatally beating girlfriend, dropping sofa on her body, and sleeping on it

    CHESTER COUNTY, Pa. (TCD) — A jury found a 33-year-old man guilty of murder and several other charges for fatally beating his girlfriend in what prosecutors called “a painful and brutal death.”

    The Chester County District Attorney’s Office announced Feb. 9 that Leroy Brahm was convicted of first-degree murder, several counts of aggravated assault, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person for the death of 21-year-old Annabel Meenan. The murder conviction carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole.

    On Dec. 4, 2021, East Vincent Township Police officers responded to the 800 block of Buttonwood Avenue for a medical emergency and found Meenan unresponsive on the ground with injuries all over her body. The district attorney’s office said Brahm was at the scene when police arrived, but he did not attempt to revive his girlfriend. Meenan was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

    According to the district attorney’s office, Meenan had “extensive trauma” to her head and face, as well as lacerations across the rest of her body.

    Meenan and Brahm had reportedly been drinking together the night prior and continued when they got back to their house. Inside, there was blood on the kitchen walls, a shattered oven door, and a hole in the wall. Meenan’s broken cellphone was reportedly on the ground as well. Brahm had a swollen ankle and a bruised hand when police got there.

    The district attorney’s office said Brahm “savagely beat the victim on several occasions leading up to the murder.” Many of these beatings were reportedly caught on the video security system inside their home. On the night of her death, Brahm was seen punching and kicking Meenan in the head at least 85 times and stomping on her at least 80.

    According to the Daily Local News, Brahm and Meenan had been in a relationship since she was in high school, but he believed she was cheating on him. On the night of the killing, Brahm punched her as she was on the bed, jumped on her body, and continued to beat her. At one point, he reportedly picked up their living room couch and dropped it on her body. Afterward, he laid down on the sofa and fell asleep.

    Meenan was reportedly having a sexual relationship with a man Brahm also allegedly slept with previously.

    Chester County Deputy District Attorney Kate Wright said during the trial, “He was done with Annabel choosing another man instead of himself. He wanted to reassert his control over her. Over and over, he beat her the night of her death until she was bruised and beaten and bloody.”

    Meenan’s cause of death was reportedly cardiac arrest from consuming alcohol and cocaine, but the medical examiner said the cardiac arrest was brought on by the beatings.

    District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said following the verdict, “The Defendant unfathomably, brutally, and systematically beat his girlfriend to death during the course of a night. The jury rightfully recognized that the Defendant was guilty of all charges.”

    MORE:

    • Spring City Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder – Chester County District Attorney
    • Chester County man guilty of first-degree murder in fatal beating of girlfriend – Daily Local News
    • Spring City Woman Found Dead in Home; Boyfriend Charged with Assault and Investigation Is Pending, 12/8/2021 – Chester County District Attorney’s Office
    • Spring City Man Charged with Murder in Girlfriend’s Death, 2/17/2022 – Chester County District Attorney’s Office

    TRUE CRIME DAILY: THE PODCAST covers high-profile and under-the-radar cases every week. Subscribe to our YouTube page and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You can also subscribe to our True Crime Daily newsletter.



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  • Georgia woman convicted of fatally shooting victim while holding her 1-year-old child

    COVINGTON, Ga. (TCD) — A woman was convicted this week on charges related to a 2020 shooting that injured the father of her 1-year-old child and killed a 27-year-old female.

    The Newton County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday, Feb. 12, that a jury found Dalanna Bailey guilty of malice murder, felony murder, criminal attempt to commit murder, two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of possession of a firearm during commission of a felony, and cruelty to children in connection with a double shooting that killed La’Peachah Nash and injured a man, identified by WAGA-TV as Deshawn Grayson.

    According to the district attorney’s office, the trial began Feb. 5 and the jury returned the guilty verdicts after deliberating for less than an hour. Bailey is scheduled to be sentenced March 7 and remains in custody.

    On May 13, 2020, Nash drove Grayson to Bailey’s home at the Fieldcrest Apartment Complex so he could give her money for their child. At the apartment, Bailey began “yelling and screaming” at Grayson while she was holding their child. Bailey also reportedly had a loaded gun in the waistband of her pants.

    Grayson, concerned about his safety as well as his child’s, reportedly tried to retrieve the firearm. According to the district attorney’s office, Bailey “continued to threaten him” and said she had “a round in the chamber.”

    Bailey reportedly chased Grayson as he ran toward Nash’s vehicle. Grayson and Nash tried to drive away when Bailey shot at least three rounds at the car, fatally hitting Nash in the driver’s seat and striking Grayson in his back.

    Nash was shot in the head, transported to Atlanta Medical Center, and died from her injuries the next day, according to WAGA.

    Grayson was airlifted to the hospital to treat a gunshot wound to his abdomen.

    Following the shooting, Bailey fled the scene. Officials found her approximately seven hours later and took her into custody at the Knights Inn Motel on Panola Road in DeKalb County, WAGA reports. She was with her baby at the time, who was unharmed from the incident.

    MORE:

    • Conviction in May 2020 murder of Lapeachah Nash – Newton County District Attorney’s Office
    • Dalanna Bailey: Covington mother found guilty of deadly double shooting while holding infant – WAGA

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  • Judicial Watch: DHS Secretary Mayorkas Personally Declined Presidential Candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Request for Secret Service Protection

    (Washington, DC)Judicial Watch announced today it received 99 pages of Secret Service records from the Department of Homeland Security in a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit that show Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas personally declined presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s request for Secret Service protection.

    Judicial Watch received the records through a September 26, 2023, lawsuit that was filed after the Department of Homeland Security failed to respond to a July 31, 2023, FOIA request for senior department officials’ communications regarding the provision of Secret Service protection for Presidential Candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (No. 1:23-cv-02846)).

    The newly obtained records include a July 21, 2023, two-sentence letter sent by Mayorkas to Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, advising her:

    On May 26, 2023, Candidate for President Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. submitted a request to the Department of Homeland Security for United States Secret Service protection. In accordance with the authority set forth in Title 18, United States Code, Section 3056(a)(7), and in consultation with the Candidate Protection Advisory Committee, I decline to identify Candidate Kennedy for United States Secret Service protection at this time.

    Mayorkas copied the letter to the members of the Candidate Protection Advisory Committee: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Senate Sergeant at Arms Karen Gibson.

    As noted in a previous production of records from this lawsuit, the Secretary of Homeland Security has “broad discretion” when authorizing Secret Service protection to presidential or vice-presidential candidates:

    Who receives protection?

    The Secret Service does not determine who qualifies for protection, nor is the Secret Service empowered to independently initiate candidate protection.

    Under 18 U.S.C.’ 3056(a)(7), “[m]ajor Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates,” as identified by the Secretary of Homeland Security, are eligible for Secret Service protection.

    Title 18 U.S.C’ 3056(a)(7) authorizes the U.S. Secret Service to provide protection for major presidential and vice presidential candidates:

    • Protection is authorized by the OHS Secretary after consultation with the Congressional Advisory Committee

    • The Congressional Advisory Committee includes: Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader, Senate Majority Leader, Senate Minority Leader, and one additional member selected by the others

    • Protection under these guidelines should only be granted within one year prior to the general election. Protection more than one year prior to the general election should only be granted in extraordinary, case by case circumstances in consultation with the committee, based on threat assessment and other factors.

    Secret Service protection for presidential candidates began in 1968 after the assassination of Democrat candidate Robert F. Kennedy, the father of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

    The new records also show the Kennedy 2024 presidential campaign sent several requests to DHS seeking protection for the candidate, who initially ran as a Democrat but switched to Independent after realizing Democrats had no intention of allowing him to challenge Joe Biden for the party’s 2024 nomination.

    The Kennedy for President organization’s first request for Secret Service protection was sent “Sensitive and Confidential” on May 26, 2023, from an unidentified official in Kennedy’s organization and reads: “As [redacted] for Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s campaign for President of the United States, I am writing to request United States Secret Service protection for Robert F. Kennedy, Jr from this point forward pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 3056(a)(7), which authorizes the Secret Service to provide protection to ‘Major Presidential Candidates.’ Robert F. Kennedy, Jr appears to have met this standard and we ask that you and your Congressional Protection Advisory Committee consider this request. If you authorize the Secret Service to protect Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, he will accept this protection as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made. With respect for your time and process, the campaign commissioned an expert risk assessment in advance of today’s request (attached). If you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me.” The accompanying 62-page attachment is entirely redacted under FOIA exemptions relating to personal privacy and deliberative process.

    On July 7, 2023, the Kennedy organization, “Team Kennedy,” sends a letter via email to Kristie Canegallo, acting deputy secretary and chief of staff at DHS, with the subject line “Urgent Request for Sec. Mayorkas Re Secret Service Protection of Presidential Candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.” along with an attachment titled “RFK Jr. Risk Assessment Declaration May 24, 2023.” In their cover email to Canegallo, Kennedy’s representatives write, “I am forwarding to you for immediate action by Secretary Mayorkas the attached files in the interest of protection by the United States Secret Service of Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. I can be reached at anytime at [redacted] for confirmation, or to answer questions. Thank you in advance for your assistance.” The attached “sensitive and confidential” letter states:

    As [redacted] of the presidential campaign of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., I am asking for an immediate response to my request for United States Secret Service protection Mr. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

    You may know that within 24-hours after the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, President Johnson directed the Secret Service to provide protection to presidential candidates. Just days later, the Secret Service became responsible for the safety of five candidates, and by the end of the 1968 campaign, twelve candidates were protected by the USSS. The new responsibility was undertaken to ensure the safety of candidates and others in their vicinity – and to protect the electoral process itself.

    Given Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s well-established risk as a presidential candidate, our campaign submitted a written request following the formal process. Our request was received at DHS on June 1, 2023. Presidential candidates traditionally hear back within 14 days; it has been more than 30-days since the formal request.

    As I write this today, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. remains at risk of being harmed in connection with his Presidential campaign – and that risk is escalating.

    Many weeks ago, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. met the criteria for a presidential candidate to receive Secret Service coverage, pursuant to Title 18 U.S.C. 3056(a)(7). He has polled above the threshold, has been actively campaigning on a national basis, operates a national campaign apparatus, has appeared before thousands of audience members at events in many states, regularly appears as a candidate on national network news programs, town halls, podcasts, interviews, is producing campaign materials, advertisements, and websites, is successfully fundraising, and has assembled a large campaign staff.

    Again, our campaign has not heard back from the DHS since submitting the request. The risk to Mr. Kennedy, and those around him, persists and increases during this waiting period.

    I have attached the first request and our initial threat assessment.

    “It is simply despicable that Secretary Mayorkas refused needed Secret Service protection for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. “That it took a federal FOIA lawsuit to force out this information speaks volumes.”

    Judicial Watch also recently released Secret Service records under this lawsuit that showed Assistant Director Michael Plati ordering his staff not to respond to a request for information from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s head of security. The documents also confirmed that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alexander Mayorkas and President Biden both have the discretion to provide Secret Service protection to Kennedy at any time.

    In September 2023, Judicial Watch received Secret Service records detailing the denial of protection to presidential candidate Kennedy despite having received numerous threats from “known subjects.”

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  • Mom of school shooter convicted; OnlyFans model’s parents allegedly concealed evidence — TCD Sidebar

    In this episode of True Crime Daily The Sidebar Podcast: Angenette Levy joins host Joshua Ritter to break down the biggest cases making headlines across the nation. They discuss the conviction of a school shooter’s mother, Delphi murders suspect Richard Allen fighting to have his lawyers reinstated, and the parents of an OnlyFans model accused of her boyfriend’s murder who were arrested for allegedly attempting to conceal evidence.

    Tweet your questions for future episodes to Joshua Ritter using the hashtag #TCDSidebar.

    YouTube: Mom of school shooter convicted; OnlyFans model’s parents allegedly concealed evidence — TCD Sidebar

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  • 3 arrested for allegedly abusing 10-year-old, tying her with duct tape, and starving her to death

    HONOLULU (TCD) — Three people have been arrested on multiple charges after a 10-year-old girl was found dead from apparent physical abuse, medical neglect, and starvation last month.

    In a press conference, Honolulu Police Department Lt. Deena Thoemmes announced Feb. 9 that Brandy Blas, Thomas Blas, and Debra Geron were taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, first-degree unlawful imprisonment, and conspiracy to commit first-degree unlawful imprisonment for the death of Geanna Bradley. Brandy Blas and Geron are also charged with hindering prosecution, while Brandy Blas and Thomas Blas are facing a count of endangering the welfare of a minor.

    Brandy and Thomas Blas are reportedly Bradley’s legal guardians, and Geron described herself as the girl’s grandmother.

    According to Thoemmes, on Jan. 18, Honolulu Police officers went to a home in Wahiawa because paramedics called in to say they needed a defibrillator for a 10-year-old girl who was found “cold and stiff.” Police noted Bradley had “significant injuries” and bruises all over her body.

    Geron allegedly said she last saw Bradley on Jan. 17 when the girl went to bed after dinner, and when Geron went to wake her up, Bradley’s body was cold. Thoemmes said Bradley had scratch marks around her ears, cheeks, and lips, bruises on her eyelids, rashes on her chin, and a partially missing nose bridge.

    Officials initially classified the case as an “unattended death,” but investigators consulted a pediatrician who specializes in child abuse. The doctor said Bradley’s “condition was consistent with medical neglect, physical neglect, and chronic physical abuse,” as well as fatal starvation. The doctor said Bradley’s injuries, including the “very deep” nose bridge wound and other scars around her mouth, were “indications of trauma significant enough to break teeth.”

    Bradley was one of six children in the home. Four were Brandy Blas’ biological children and there was a 4-year-old boy who was adopted. Bradley’s guardians allegedly said the girl was diagnosed with ADHD, and they believed she might have schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. She was reportedly on medication and saw a psychologist once a month. The Blases and Geron said she had tantrums daily and would throw herself on the ground and injure herself.

    Thoemmes said the 4-year-old also sustained apparent abuse-related injuries, but the biological children did not. Child Welfare Services removed all children from the home during the investigation. The 4-year-old has been with the family since he was a toddler.

    According to Thoemmes, detectives obtained warrants to search cellphones and found videos that allegedly show a girl that appears to be Bradley stuck in a small enclosed porch area with her arms duct taped to her torso and her eyes shut with tape.

    Additionally, there were allegedly videos of “violent interactions” involving the adults abusing Bradley. Thoemmes said, “The child’s arms are taped to her torso, and there is duct tape wrapped around her eyes, forehead, and over the top of her head.”

    On Feb. 8, a forensic pathologist conducted an autopsy and determined Bradley died from multiple effects of prolonged child abuse and neglect. Cause of death was the result of starvation, blunt force injury due to assault, prolonged immobilization and physical restraint, medical neglect, and pneumonia.

    Bradley had been under Thomas Blas and Brandy Blas’ supervision since she was about 2 years old. She was reportedly taken out of school in October 2022.

    MORE:

    • HPD News Conference 2-09-24 – Honolulu Police Department
    • 3 charged with murder after authorities conclude 10-year-old died from starvation, neglect – Hawaii News Now

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  • Man pleads guilty to Oklahoma marijuana farm 'executions' that killed 4

    KINGFISHER, Okla. (TCD) — A man will spend the rest of his life in prison after he pleaded guilty last week to killing four people at a marijuana farm in 2022.

    Court records show Chen Wu, who is also referred to as Wu Chen in some records, entered the plea Friday, Feb. 9, for four counts of first-degree murder — deliberate intent and assault and battery with a deadly weapon. The Kingfisher Times & Free Press reports a judge sentenced Wu to life in prison without the possibility of parole for murder and two years for assault and battery. The sentences will be served concurrently. Court documents identified the victims as Quirong Lin, Chen He Chun, Chen He Qiang, and Fang Hui Lee.

    On Nov. 20, 2022, the Kingfisher County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a hostage situation at a marijuana grow operation. When deputies arrived, they found four people deceased and one person injured.

    The sheriff’s office called in the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) for assistance, and they took over the case. An OSBI statement said the suspect was inside the building on the farm “for a significant amount of time before the executions began.”

    Investigators identified Wu as the suspect in the killings and apprehended him in Miami Beach two days later on Nov. 22, 2022.

    According to The Associated Press, the farm was operating under an illegal license for medical marijuana.

    MORE:

    • State of Oklahoma v. Wu Chen
    • Chen pleads guilty to murders – Kingfisher Times & Free Press  
    • OSBI Assisting Kingfisher County Sheriff’s Office After Four Found Executed, 11/20/2022 – Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
    • Quadruple Homicide Suspect in Custody, 11/22/2022 – Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
    • Oklahoma pot farm illegally obtained permit before 4 slain, 12/2/2022 – The Associated Press

    TRUE CRIME DAILY: THE PODCAST covers high-profile and under-the-radar cases every week. Subscribe to our YouTube page and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You can also subscribe to our True Crime Daily newsletter.



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  • Missouri mother accused of 'accidentally' placing 1-month-old baby in oven instead of her crib

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. (TCD) — Police arrested a 26-year-old mother last week on suspicion of killing her infant after she allegedly placed the baby into the oven.

    In a redacted probable cause statement posted by the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, on Feb. 9, Kansas City Police officers responded to a report of a baby who wasn’t breathing and found an adult holding the unresponsive child. The 1-month-old victim sustained apparent burn injuries, and the Kansas City Fire Department pronounced the infant dead at the scene.

    According to the probable cause statement, the mother, Mariah Thomas, told her grandfather she went to put her daughter down for a nap and thought she placed her into her crib but “accidentally put her in the oven.” The grandfather reportedly called 911 and handed the baby over to responding fire personnel upon their arrival.

    The girl was reportedly found in her car seat near the front door. The affidavit says she “sustained apparent thermal injuries on various parts of her body,” and her clothing “appeared to have melted” onto her diaper. Investigators located a baby blanket with “significant burn marks.”

    The Jackson County Prosecutor announced Feb. 10 that their office charged Thomas with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, death of a child. She remains held in the Jackson County Detention Center.

    Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Baker said, “We appreciate all first responders who worked this scene and the prosecutors who went to the scene in order to issue these charges.”

    Baker continued, “We acknowledge the gruesome nature of this tragedy and our hearts are weighted by the loss of this precious life. We trust the criminal justice system to respond appropriately to these awful circumstances.”

    MORE:

    • State of Missouri vs. Mariah Thomas
    • Kansas City mother charged in connection with her 1-month-old child’s death – Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office
    • Jackson County Detention Center

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