Joplin woman charged after infant found alone, between mattress and wall

A woman from Joplin is facing charges after her infant was reportedly found alone, wedged between a mattress and a wall.

Court documents say a Children’s Division Investigator arrived at the home of 23-year-old Kaitlyn Estes, to follow up on an investigation. While knocking on the door, she could hear a baby crying inside.

After not getting an answer, she contacted police, who were able get the door open from the property manager.

That’s when they found the infant in the bedroom with a blanket over its face. They found the baby also had a full diaper and had bruising on its face.

While on scene, officers located a handwritten note stuck to the wall of the bedroom, which read, “Went to go score be right back”.

The baby was placed in protective custody.

Estes is charged with Abandonment Of Child – 1st Degree and Endangering The Welfare Of A Child Creating Substantial Risk- 1st Degree – 1st Offense.

She’ll be back in court Tuesday for a bond reduction hearing. Her initial bond was set at $5,000.