On Monday, Missouri prosecutors said they have charged a woman in connection with the death of her 6-month-old daughter whose body was discovered in May.
Raeleena Barlett was charged with abandoning a corpse months after Kha’liya Bridgewater’s body was found in an abandoned lot in Kansas City. Barlett’s father, Marty Lammers, told The Kansas City Star that she was placed on suicide watch while jailed.
The news outlet reported that Bridgewater’s body was in an advanced state of decomposition and she had two trash bags under and around her legs. Police said a baby blanket and headband were located nearby.
Lammers said he and the family were made to believe Bridgewater died in her sleep a week before her body was discovered. However, Barlett allegedly refused to answer any questions regarding funeral arrangements.
In late April, Barlett’s sibling and friend came to her home and reportedly recalled it smelling bad and spotted trash bags near the front door.
According to The Kansas City Star, Lammers’ ex-wife and daughter contacted authorities after the body was found as they suspected it was Barlett’s daughter. After the body was found, Barlett reportedly told Lammers that she had to pick up the infant’s ashes and death certificate.
Detectives determined at the time that there were no medical examiner’s reports in the area involving the death of a 6-month-old, suggesting Barlett did not report her death to authorities.
Barlett allegedly provided inconsistent stories to cops and witnesses regarding Bridgewater’s death. She also claimed she did not know how her daughter’s body ended up in the field, WDAF reported.
Previous reports indicated that DNA testing was used to confirm that Barlett was Bridgewater’s mother.
Jackson County coroners said Bridgewater’s cause and manner of death remain undetermined. Prosecutors said there were no signs of physical abuse
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[Featured image: Kha’liya Bridgewater/GoFundMe]
