Ottumwa woman accused of killing five-year-old daughter

Ottumwa police have arrested a 22-year-old mother after she allegedly admitted to killing her five-year-old daughter.

According to the Ottumwa Police Department, officers responded on July 19 to a residence at 127 N. James Street in Ottumwa, after 911 received a call reporting an unresponsive five-year-old girl.

The child was taken to Ottumwa Regional Health Center where she was pronounced dead, police said. An autopsy was conducted on July 23, but the results are still pending.

In the days that followed, police and investigators with the Division of Criminal Investigation, executed search warrants and conducted several interviews.

The child's mother, Kelsie R. Thomas, was interviewed on July 26, during which investigators said she admitted to killing the child.

Thomas is accused of first-degree murder and is currently being held without bond at Wapello County Jail, where she is awaiting arraignment.

l Comments: (319) 398-8238; kat.russell@thegazette.com