2 charged with murder after death of baby, 2 other children test positive for drugs in Dunklin County

GIBSON, Mo. (KBSI) – Two people were arrested after the death of a baby in Dunklin County.

Tosha M. Hill and Cody Lynn Stark each face charges of murder 2nd degree, endangering the welfare of a child- 1st degree – death of child, abuse or neglect of a child resulting in death and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child creating substantial risk 1st degree.

A Dunklin County Sheriff’s deputy responded to 406 North Main Street in Gibson after receiving a report of a six month old not breathing.

The deputy contacted a medic on scene who had the baby in the back of the ambulance. The baby was dead and rigor mortise had already set in, according to the probable cause statement.

Hill told the deputy she woke up around 8 a.m. and fed the baby 4 ounces of his bottle and a crumbled up corner of a pop tart. She said they went back to sleep. She told the deputy she awoke about 20 minutes before the ambulance came.

She awoke when the baby’s father came into the camper to bring them food. He asked where the child was and she told him she didn’t know. The baby was found laying in the floor face down on the left side of the bed on a pillow.

The father picked up the baby, said he was dead and handed him to the mother who started CPR. The father called 911.

Stark was arrested at the scene based on an active warrant he had. A sheriff’s deputy says during an interview that Stark admitted to having methamphetamine.

Both parents tested positive for methamphetamine, according to the probable cause statement.

Two other children were taken by the Department of Social Services. The children were also drug tested. Both children tested positive for mthemphetamine.

A toxicology report on the baby tested positive for amphetamine 10ng/ml and methamphetamine 16ng/ml.

One child’s hair folicle tested positive for methamphetamine.

The other child’s hair folicle tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine, according to the probable cause report.

Stark was taken to the Dunklin County Justice Center.

Hill was arrested in Clay County, Arkansas and is awaiting extradition.

No bond was set for either suspect.