A trial has been scheduled for a Missouri woman who allegedly killed her newborn daughter last month by putting her in an oven.
KSHB reported that Mariah Thomas’ jury trial will begin on January 13, 2025. Thomas, 26, is accused of putting her 1-month-old daughter Za’Riah in an oven instead of her crib on February 9, causing the newborn’s death.
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The alleged incident unfolded at the Midtown home where Thomas and Za’Riah lived with Thomas’ parents.
Responding police officers reportedly found the 1-month-old in a car seat near the front door. Officers observed burns on the baby, who was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Kansas City Star.
Thomas’ daughter was said to be covered in thermal injuries, and her onesie was melted into her dirty diaper. Additionally, a burned baby blanket was recovered from the living room.
Thomas allegedly told her grandfather that she had put Za’Riah down for a nap. She said she meant to put her daughter in her crib but accidentally put her in the oven instead, court documents stated.
Since then, people close to Thomas have claimed she may have mental health or cognitive disabilities which played a role in Za’Riah’s death.
Thomas was charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child — not murder. Her bond was originally set at $200,000, but it was lowered to $100,000 at a February 20 court hearing.
If released, Thomas will be placed on house arrest and undergo GPS monitoring.
[Feature Photo: Za’Riah/Facebook]
