Hannibal Babysitter Charged with Child Endangerment

A Hannibal woman is in the Marion County :Jail on child endangerment charges.

Hannibal Police responded to a request for a well being check shortly before 8:30 a.m. Friday in the 2000 block of Grace Street. The report indicated there was a child in the middle of the street wearing a diaper and t-shirt.

Officers arrived to find a 22-month old child in the street unattended. An investigation led officers to the residence where the child belonged. They tried to contact 32 year old Shantel Thomas, but she shut the door on the officers and refused to come out.

The owner of the residence was contacted and gave officers permission to search the home.

Thomas was taken into custody and lodged in the Marion County Jail pending charges.

Saturday, the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court issued a warrant for Thomas, charging her with First Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Thomas remains in the Marion County Jail on $25,000 bond.

The child was unhurt and was placed in protective custody and taken to the Marion County Children's Division. The child was later released to the biological mother.

Thomas also had outstanding warrants in Pike and Ralls counties in Missouri for Dangerous Drug and traffic violations.