Mariah Thomas, 26, from Kansas City, Missouri, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after her one-month-old daughter, Za’riah, was found dead with severe burns. Authorities responded to a call in February about an unresponsive baby. Thomas allegedly told her family she mistakenly placed Za’riah in the oven instead of her crib during a nap, and her clothing had partially melted.
Thomas reportedly called her mother in a hysterical state after realizing the mistake, prompting her parents to rush home. Upon their arrival, the smell of smoke was evident, and Za’riah was discovered deceased in the home. Investigators confirmed burns on the infant and found a burned blanket, consistent with the mother’s account.
Friends revealed Thomas had a history of untreated mental health issues that worsened after giving birth. Reports suggest she stopped taking her prescribed medications while pregnant. A close acquaintance noted, “She loved her baby dearly. This wasn’t intentional.”
Thomas’s trial is set for January, with prosecutors adding a manslaughter charge to her initial charge of endangering the welfare of a child. The case highlights concerns about mental health support and its role in tragic incidents.
