Joplin woman charged with abandoning 4-month-old girl

The Newton County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed abandonment of a child and endangering the welfare of a child charges against a Joplin woman today.

A warrant was issued for the arrest of Kaitlyn Marie Estes (DOB 2001) with bond set at $5,000 cash or surety.

According to the probable cause statement, the Joplin Police Department responded to a call from a child services investigator who knocked continuously on the door of a home and received no answer though she heard a baby crying.

From the statement:

Officers were able to determine that Estes’ vehicle was not on the property. Based on previous dealings with Estes, she is known to have a four-month-old baby. 

Due to the front door being dead bolted from the inside, officers requested the property manager to respond. Entry into the residence was made to ensure the well-being of a crying baby. 

Upon entry, officers located a four-month-old female in the bedroom. The baby was wedged between the adult sized bed mattress and the wall. A blanket had been pulled across the face of the baby. Officers removed the baby from the bed. In doing so, they noted her diaper was extremely soiled and sagging. 

The baby was crying and appeared to be in distress. Bruising on the face area was also observed. No other person was located in the residence. 

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

After failing to locate Estes, the baby was placed in emergency custody and taken to the Children's Center where she underwent a CARE Exam. During the exam, the following was observed.  

“Bruising bilaterally on fleshy part of cheeks. Patterned bruising noted. 2 on left side of face, 1 on right. Diaper dermatitis with skin breakdown noted. Mongolian spot on buttocks.”