Missouri mom accused of abusing kids, including 1 found dead

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - A 35-year-old Kansas City, Missouri, woman is jailed on $250,000 bond after being accused of abusing two of her children who included one found dead in the family's home.

Jackson County prosecutors charged her with four counts of child abuse or neglect related to two children, ages 3 and 2 years old. The younger child was found dead of unspecified causes Thursday, and the 3-year-old was treated at a hospital.

Two of the woman's other children, ages 9 and 5, also were found in the home.

Court documents allege the woman told police she didn't hit the children and insisted one child burned another with a heated knife "because God had told him to do so." Police say the woman later admitted hitting the victims with a plastic rod.