Missouri – In a distressing case out of Missouri, a 21-year-old mother, identified as A. Wehmeyer, has been charged with neglect leading to the death of her 1-year-old child. The allegations against Wehmeyer highlight severe neglect, including failure to feed and care for the toddler adequately, ultimately resulting in the child’s tragic demise due to dehydration and malnutrition.
The investigation into the death was conducted by the Missouri Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control, which detailed the events leading up to the tragic incident. Wehmeyer was arrested following the suspicious death of her child on February 28. Autopsy results revealed the toddler suffered from dehydration and severe malnutrition, with little to no food found in the stomach at the time of death. Wehmeyer’s neglect unfolded over a critical 43-hour period, during which she failed to provide essential care and nourishment to her baby. According to the probable cause affidavit, the mother last fed her baby around 5 to 6 p.m. on February 26. Notably, it was nearly 36 hours later that the baby showed signs of life distress. The following evening, Wehmeyer changed the baby’s diaper and put the child to bed, approximately 24 hours after the last feeding.
The situation escalated in the early hours of February 28 when Wehmeyer attended to her crying baby for about 30 to 40 minutes before putting the child back to bed. Later that day, at around 1 p.m., she discovered the baby unresponsive with blue lips, a clear sign of oxygen deprivation. During the police interview, Wehmeyer confessed that despite noticing the baby’s distressed condition on February 27, she chose not to seek medical help due to a headache, opting instead to take a nap. This decision came despite visible severe symptoms such as “severe blisters” from diaper rash, which she admitted to noticing nearly 19 hours before the baby’s estimated time of death.
Prosecutors have charged Wehmeyer with abuse or neglect of a child resulting in death. She is currently held at the county jail on a $100,000 cash bond, with her first court appearance scheduled for March 6. Throughout the investigation, Wehmeyer did not seek any medical advice or help for the baby’s malnutrition or the severe diaper rash, further compounding the neglect.
The community and authorities have reacted strongly to this case, given the preventable nature of the tragedy. The death has prompted discussions on parental responsibilities and the support systems necessary to prevent such incidents. With no prior criminal history, Wehmeyer’s actions have been scrutinized under the harsh light of a tragic outcome that might have been avoided with timely medical intervention and proper caregiving. As the legal proceedings continue, the focus remains on ensuring justice for the young victim while also addressing broader issues related to child welfare and the mechanisms in place to support struggling parents. This case serves as a somber reminder of the critical importance of providing adequate care and the dire consequences of neglect.
