Missouri Mother Arrested for Abandoning Four Young Children During Severe Storm

A 27-year-old woman is facing serious charges in St. Ann, Missouri, after allegedly leaving her four children unattended during a severe storm.

St. Ann, MO — A Missouri mother is facing serious charges after allegedly abandoning her four young children during a severe weather emergency. Crystal Ray, 27, was arrested by St. Ann police on March 14, 2025, after authorities discovered her children — ranging in age from 8 months to 8 years old — had been left home alone in dangerous conditions.

According to a criminal complaint filed by the St. Louis County Prosecutor’s Office, officers were dispatched to Ray’s home following a welfare check request made by a concerned family member. The family member reportedly grew alarmed as severe storms rolled through the area, prompting sirens to warn residents of extreme weather threats.

Responding officers found the children “extremely upset” and alone in the home. The complaint details that they told police their mother had left while the storm sirens sounded. The area was reportedly impacted by hazardous conditions, including brush fires, widespread power outages, downed power lines, and debris scattered by the storm.

Authorities believe the children had been left unattended for “several hours” during the severe weather event.

While specific details regarding how Ray was located were not disclosed, the complaint states that once officers made contact with her, she “exhibited signs of intoxication.” When police attempted to place her under arrest, she allegedly resisted, fighting back by hitting and kicking officers and wrestling with them in an attempt to avoid being detained.

In addition to accusations of abandoning her children, Ray is also accused of threatening harm toward the individual who reported the situation to authorities. The complaint indicates she “threatened to kill the reporting party.”

Crystal Ray has been charged with four felony counts of endangering the welfare of a child and one count of resisting arrest. She is currently being held on a $75,000 cash-only bond. Prosecutors noted she was deemed a danger to her children.

Her next court date has not yet been released.