A Missouri mother is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly leaving her four young children alone during a severe weather warning and later threatening the person who reported her.
Children Left Alone Amid Dangerous Storm
Crystal Ray, 27, was arrested on March 14 in St. Ann, Missouri, after police were alerted that her children—ranging from 8 months to 8 years old—had been left alone during a “severe weather event.” According to the criminal complaint, the area was experiencing brush fires, power outages, downed power lines, and heavy debris when officers arrived.
When police spoke to the frightened children, they said their mother “left while the sirens were going off” and had been gone for several hours.
Intoxicated and Violent Arrest
When authorities located Ray, she was exhibiting signs of intoxication and violently resisted arrest, wrestling, hitting, and kicking officers, according to prosecutors.
She now faces four felony counts of child endangerment and one count of resisting arrest. A judge set her bail at $75,000 cash-only, deeming her a danger to her children.
Threats Against the Reporting Party
Prosecutors also allege that Ray threatened to kill the person who reported her to the authorities.
Her next court date has not yet been made public.
