Authorities report an arrest was made Thursday in connection with the death of a child from southeast Iowa. The Iowa Department of Public Safety says the child’s mother, 22-year old Kelsie Thomas, of Ottumwa admitted during an investigation interview, she killed her 5-year old daughter. Thomas was then placed under arrest by law enforcement and is being held in the Wapello County Jail. She was charged with Murder in the First Degree, a Class “A” Felony.  No Bond has been until Thomas has an initial arraignment on the charge.

Kelsie Thomas

Officials say the afternoon of July 19th, the Ottumwa Police Department received a 911 call reporting an unresponsive five year-old female at a residence in Ottumwa.  Police and Fire responded to the residence.  The child was transported to Ottumwa Regional Health Center where she was pronounced deceased. The Ottumwa Police Department requested assistance of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation with the death investigation. The Office of the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s office conducted the autopsy of the child, but the results are still pending.

An investigation into the incident continues.