Missouri mother burns baby to death inside oven claiming she mistook it for a crib: officials

"A Missouri mother tragically caused the death of her one-month-old baby after placing the infant in an oven, authorities stated. The police, upon arriving at the Kansas City residence, described the scene as 'gruesome.'

The baby, belonging to Mariah Thomas, was discovered badly burnt and unresponsive on Friday, as reported by The Guardian.

Thomas informed authorities that she 'was putting her child down for a nap and accidentally placed the child in the oven instead of the crib.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker expressed deep sorrow over the loss, stating, 'Our hearts are heavy with the passing of this precious life.' He further added, 'We trust the criminal justice system to respond appropriately to these tragic circumstances,' as reported by local media.

Thomas has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child and with the death of a child."