PERRYVILLE—The Perryville Police Department is reporting the arrest and charging of a 23-year-old Perryville woman in connection with the death of an eight-month-old female child March 28.
According to a news release Blanca Marisela Mendez Ramirez is charged with the following:
- Abuse or Neglect of a Child-resulting in death- Class A Felony
Bond: $100,000.00 cash only
The police department provided this narrative:
“On March 26, 2022, at approximately 1215 hours this department was notified by a social worker from St. Louis Children’s Hospital of an eight-month-old female child that had been transported from our jurisdiction with injuries indicative of abuse.
“According to the social worker the infant had been presented to Perry County Memorial Hospital unresponsive and was resuscitated there. Injuries included multiple head trauma, possible bruising on the back, buttocks, and petechiae on the face.
“Detectives from our department responded to the hospital and interviewed family members and beg(a)n an investigation into possible abuse.
“It was discovered the mother of the child had left the eight-month-old in the care of their female roommate until the father returned home from work approximately an hour after the mother left for work.
“The father discovered the child unresponsive in the bedroom and transported the child to the hospital.
“On March 28, 2022, our department was notified the child had passed away due to her injuries.
“On March 29, 2022, detectives were able to locate the female suspect and with the assistance of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officer to translate, were able to conduct an interview.
“Due to the information obtained through the interview an arrest was made on Blanca Marisela Mendez Ramirez, 23-year-old Hispanic female.
“Mendez Ramirez has been transported to Perry County Sheriff’s Office to await her court date or until bond is posted.”
According to the probable cause statement released by Perry County Prosecuting Attorney Caitlin Pistorio yesterday: “Ramirez admitted she was home alone with (the infant) at the time (the infant) received the injuries. Ramirez at first stated she had dropped the child. When officers discussed the extent of the injuries with Ramirez and that (the infant’s) injuries were beyond what an infant would suffer in a drop, Ramirez admitted the child was dropped and thrown. Ramirez said she dropped and threw the child out of frustration when the child would not stop crying. Ramirez said after doing so, she placed (the infant) back into the bouncy seat in the parents’ bedroom and walked away. (The infant) was left alone with the injuries for approximately 15-20 minutes.”
Perryville Police Chief Direk Hunt stated “I am proud of the expedient and thorough work our detectives have done. We greatly appreciate the assistance of Immigration and Customs Agency in translating for us as well.”