Hannibal woman jailed after leaving toddler unattended in middle of street

HANNIBAL, Mo. — A Hannibal woman is in the Marion County Jail after she left a small child unattended in the middle of Grace Street on Friday morning.

Officers were called to the 2000 block of Grace Street at approximately 8:18 a.m. Friday for a well-being check. They received a report that a small child was in the middle of the street wearing a diaper and t-shirt. Officers arrived and found a 22-month-old child in the street unattended. Officers determine the residence of the child and attempted to make contact. Thomas shut the door on the officers and refused to come out. The owner of the residence was contacted and allowed officers to search the residence. Thomas was found and taken into custody, then transported to the Marion County Jail pending formal charges.

The 10^th Judicial Circuit Court of Marion County issued a warrant Saturday for Shantel L. Thomas, 32, of Hannibal, charging her with first degree endangering the welfare of a child.

The child was placed into protective custody and taken to Marion County Children’s Division. The child was unharmed during the incident and later released to the biological mother. Thomas’ bond was set at $25,000 cash or surety. Thomas also had outstanding warrants in Pike County, Mo., and Ralls County for dangerous drug and traffic violations. Thomas remains in the Marion County Jail.