An Independence woman faces a felony charge in connection with the burning of an infant she was babysitting on Saturday, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.
Brea C. White, dob: 3/5/1993, faces Endangering the Welfare of a Child in the First Degree.*
According to court records, the defendant was caring for the 4-month-old child victim on Saturday, beginning about 6 a.m. About 12:30 p.m. the defendant called the woman who dropped the child at the residence, saying the child had stopped breathing. At Children’s Mercy Hospital, a physician reported to police that the child suffered from “dipping burns” over 60 percent of its body and it also showed signs that it might have been shaken. The defendant told Independence Police she had been giving the child a bath but she said she had checked the water temperature first.
Prosecutors have requested a bond of $40,000/10 percent.
*Charges are only accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or has pleaded.