Mother of 4, who left her children alone for hours during severe storms while she was out drinking and then threatened to kill the person who reported her, was charged
Missouri – In a distressing turn of events in Missouri, a 27-year-old mother, identified as C. Ray, is facing serious legal consequences after allegedly leaving her four young children alone at home during severe storm conditions to go drinking. The mother was arrested on charges of child endangerment and resisting arrest after a concerned family member alerted the authorities.
On the night of March 14, as tornado sirens wailed through the region, signaling impending danger from the storm that brought brush fires and widespread power outages, Ray reportedly chose to leave her four children—aged eight months to eight years—unattended for several hours. The children were found to be extremely upset, cowering in fear as the storm wreaked havoc around them.
According to the police report, a family member, concerned for the children’s safety amidst the escalating storm, contacted the police department. This act of responsibility led to the discovery of the children’s plight and subsequently to Ray’s arrest later that evening.
Authorities located Ray exhibiting clear signs of intoxication. Her arrest was not without incident; Ray resisted being taken into custody, wrestling with officers and becoming physically aggressive, which included hitting and kicking. During the altercation, Ray also reportedly made threats against the life of the person who had reported her to the police, adding to the gravity of her charges. Detective C. Cox noted in the complaint, “I believe the defendant poses a danger to the victim based upon the nature of the offenses.” This statement underscores the serious view law enforcement has taken regarding Ray’s actions that night.
Ray now faces four felony counts of endangering the welfare of a child creating substantial risk and one felony count of resisting arrest. She is currently held on a $75,000 cash-only bond, highlighting the severity with which the authorities are treating the case. The court documents, as reported by local news sources, did not specify an upcoming court date for Ray at the time of the report. The details of the legal proceedings are awaited, as the community and authorities alike seek justice for the young children subjected to such a harrowing experience.
The incident has sparked a considerable response from the community, with many expressing outrage and concern over the safety of children in similar situations. The whereabouts of the children’s father(s) remain unclear, adding another layer of concern regarding the family’s circumstances. This case not only highlights the dangers of parental negligence, especially during critical situations such as severe weather conditions, but also raises broader questions about the mechanisms of support and intervention available to potentially vulnerable children. The community and local authorities are now left to deal with the aftermath of a situation that could have ended even more tragically than it did.
