Missouri Mother Charged After Infant Dies from Neglect

Alyssa Wehmeyer, a 21-year-old mother from Missouri, has been charged with abuse or neglect resulting in the death of her 1-year-old child, who died after being left unfed for 43 hours. Wehmeyer claimed she was suffering from a migraine and took a nap, neglecting to feed her child since the evening of February 26. The child was found unresponsive on February 28, and an autopsy revealed dehydration as the cause of death, with severe signs of malnutrition and diaper rash noted. Authorities found that for 19 hours, the toddler was left unattended in a crib without a diaper change. Wehmeyer has been arrested and is being held on a $100,000 bond, with her first court appearance scheduled soon. The case has drawn attention to issues of child welfare and parental responsibility.