A Missouri mother, Mariah Thomas, has been sentenced in connection to the tragic death of her infant daughter. Thomas, 28, will serve 13 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to first-degree endangering the welfare of a child resulting in death. This plea resulted in the dismissal of a first-degree murder charge.
Authorities indicate the incident occurred on February 9, 2024. Kansas City police discovered Thomas’ 1-month-old daughter deceased with significant burns. The situation unfolded after Thomas reportedly attempted to place her child down for a nap but mistakenly put her in an oven instead of the crib. The baby was found wearing a bodysuit over a diaper, with clothing and a baby blanket showing signs of having melted due to the burns.
“I thought I put [her] in her crib and I accidentally put her in the oven,” Thomas reportedly said to a family member.
Following the incident, Thomas initially chose not to speak with detectives. However, she consented to providing a blood sample and allowed access to data from her cellphone. Her plea agreement includes no probation, and she was credited for time already served.
Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker described the death as a “gruesome” tragedy. The charge initially was first-degree endangering the welfare of a child resulting in death, later upgraded to include first-degree murder, which was dismissed under Tuesday’s plea agreement.
Judge Sarah A. Castle confirmed Thomas pleaded guilty voluntarily and understood the charges and consequences. Additionally, Thomas was ordered to pay $68 to Missouri’s Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund, while other court costs were waived.