A Kansas City woman, Adair Fish, 43, has been charged in connection with the death of one child and the neglect of another in their residence in the 5700 block of St. John Ave., Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced on December 4.

According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched to the residence on a report of a deceased child, age 5, on November 3. Fish had called police dispatch, and while on the phone reported one of the children had been dead for several days.

Arriving first, the Kansas City Fire Department made contact with Fish, along with the twins, one deceased and the other non-responsive. Fish and the unresponsive child were transported to an area hospital for treatment.

The mother was the legal guardian of the child and had care, custody and control of their health and well-being. She had previously lost custody of them, but they were returned to her on November 15, 2019. 

During the execution of a search warrant, the apartment was discovered to be cluttered with trash, debris, old food and miscellaneous other items, piled two to five feet high off the floor.

The deceased child was found amongst the debris, wrapped in blankets, in an advanced state of decomposition. The Medical Examiner diagnosed that the deceased child suffered from malnutrition and dehydration.

The surviving twin was diagnosed with chronic severe malnutrition; medical, dental, and environmental neglect; psychological maltreatment, including isolation with concern for lack of an emotionally responsible caregiver, and abnormal attachment behaviors; and concern for physical abuse due to bruising. She weighed the same as the average expected of a 20-month-old child.

Fish faces Abuse or Neglect of a Child Resulting in Death, Abuse or Neglect of a Child, and two Endangering the Welfare of a Child 1st Degree charges. Fish is being held without bond.