JOPLIN, Missouri — A four-month-old child in Joplin was rescued by a Children’s Division investigator after being left alone for an unknown amount of time.
Officers responded to these apartments at 32nd and Grand last week after a Children’s Division investigator reported a baby wailing inside a home. The investigator was following up on a case and stated that after knocking for about 45 minutes, she called the police.
Officers entered the unit with the assistance of the manager.
They claim to have discovered the infant stuck between an adult mattress and a wall. According to officers, a blanket covered the four-month-old’s face and contained an exceedingly filthy diaper.
Three days later, Joplin police arrested 23-year-old Kaitlyn Estes. She has been accused in Newton County of child endangerment and abuse.
The baby was sent to the Children’s Center for examination.
According to court filings, the infant suffered bruising on its face, diaper rashes, and skin disintegration.
Officers claim they discovered a message inside the apartment that stated, “went to go score, be right back.” Estes was arraigned on Tuesday and is being held under a $5,000 bond.
