Mom accused of smothering infant in bed after meth bender

A 30-year-old Springfield woman is accused of falling asleep on top of her baby following a methamphetamine bender, fatally smothering the child.

Danielle N. Creech, 30, was booked into Greene County Jail on Monday on a count of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, a Class A felony with a maximum prison sentence of 30 years. Her bond was initially set at $50,000.

The baby died on April 17 and criminal charges were filed May 3. Creech, who reportedly hadn't slept in three days under the influence of meth, fell asleep while feeding the infant with a bottle.

A witness told Springfield police that Creech had been acting “tweaky” leading up to the incident.

According to a police report, Creech said in an interview, “I can't believe I (expletive) did that. … I killed her. It's my fault. If I wasn't high these last couple days, I wouldn't have been so God damn tired. And I would have known. I would have know to put her up, put her on her bed, put her on her thing, and let her go to sleep.'”

Creech told police the infant was born with methamphetamine in its blood. Autopsy results are pending, but police said that a medical examiner said the infant's injuries appear to consistent with Creech's description of the incident.

A second witness told police that Creech continued to use meth following the child's death, had purchased a plane ticket to flee the state, and stated that Creech said she can do “whatever she wants” because she “is no longer (redacted).”

Creech had been set for a June trial in Phelps County, according to court records, on 2021 felony charges of unlawful use of a weapon and resisting arrest by fleeing and creating substantial risk of death or injury.

Ryan Collingwood covers a wide range of topics for the News-Leader with an emphasis on public safety. He can be reached by phone at 417-258-8174 and email at rcollingwood@newsleader.com. You can also follow Ryan on social media at X.com/rwcollingwood