A baby in Missouri tragically passed away after her mother accidentally placed her in an oven for a nap, mistaking it for a crib. Mariah Thomas, a resident of Kansas City, now faces charges of endangering the welfare of a child following the incident.
Mariah Thomas, a resident of Kansas City, Missouri, has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child following the incident that occurred on Friday.
Police responded to a call about an infant not breathing on Friday afternoon. Upon arrival, responders discovered that the child had been burned and tragically declared her dead at the scene.
A statement from the first responders indicated that “[she] put the child down for a nap and accidentally placed her in the oven instead of the crib.”
Jackson County prosecuting attorney Jean Peters Baker did not provide details in a statement regarding how the mistake had been made.
“We acknowledge the gruesome nature of this tragedy and our hearts are weighted by the loss of this precious life,” the statement read.
“We trust the criminal justice system to respond appropriately to these horrible circumstances.”
What caused the accident?
The tragic incident involving the mother mistakenly putting her child down for a nap in the oven instead of the crib led to responders finding the child with apparent burns, and unfortunately, the baby was pronounced dead at the scene.
It’s essential to recognise that this heartbreaking event is not a typical occurrence. Human error, confusion, and extreme stress can lead to tragic accidents like this. The exact details of how the mistake occurred have not been explicitly explained in the available information.
A devastated friend of Mariah Thomas told Daily Mail that “Za’Riah was a’very bubbly’ baby, who was ‘smiling all the time'”. She also suggested Thomas’ mental health may have played a role in the tragedy.
“Mariah had mental issues from what I know and didn’t have the mindset of an adult, she thought like a child,” the friend said.
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance, safety precautions, and awareness when caring for infants. It is crucial to support parents and caregivers whilst emphasising education and awareness to prevent such tragedies.