Joplin woman charged with 3 counts of endangering the welfare of a child

A 9 a.m. August 26 arraignment is scheduled for a Joplin woman charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

According to the probable cause statement Alicia O. Vader (DOB 1997) was arrested following an investigation into a report of a child seen waving a knife in a window.

Officers were dispatched to 120 (1/2) N Moffet Ave Joplin, Jasper County, MO 64801 in reference to a Juvenile Information.

Prior to arrival dispatch advised Officers the reporting party stated she observed a young child in the
window of the residence above waving a large knife through the window. She attempted to contact a
parent or guardian of the child, but was unsuccessful.

Upon arrival Officers contacted J1, (9 year old female) J2 (4 year old male), and J3 (3 year old male).

All three juveniles were covered in dirt and bug bites. They were walking around barefoot inside the
residence stepping in animal feces. There was stacked up trash in the kitchen thad had flies flying around it.

The bedrooms for the juveniles were unsanitary due to the animal feces on the beds, and old food laying on the floor. During the police contact J2, and J3 began eating stale cereal off the floor of their bedrooms. There were large knives laying out in the open uncovered. 

The bedroom window where the children sleep was broken, leaving jagged glass pieces near the children's bed. The children could easily cut themselves if they grabbed the broken glass shards.

Vader is free after posting a $1,500 surety bond.