SIKESTON, Mo. — Two suspects were charged Wednesday for murder in connection to the child death investigation of a 17-month-old girl.

Police and EMS were called to 502 E. Gladys Monday night in reference to a medical emergency.  When they arrived, they found a 17-month-old girl who was not breathing. 

The child was later pronounced dead at Missouri Delta Medical Center.  The Scott County coroner was notified and requested an autopsy be conducted.

The Department of Public Safety immediately began a child death investigation along with the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control, the Scott County Juvenile Office and Missouri Children’s Division.  Initially, it was reported that the toddler was asleep with the mother and boyfriend when they woke to find the child unresponsive.

Information gathered during the investigation and findings during the medical examination led detectives to arresting two suspects Tuesday night.  These two suspects are the mother and her boyfriend, who had custody of the child at the time of the incident on Monday.  The Scott County Prosecutor’s Office filed charges on the two Wednesday for death of the 17-month-old girl.

Tabitha Hail, 25, of Sikeston, was charged with second degree murder, abuse of a child and endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree.

Robert Benjamin Ransom, 21, of Sikeston, was charged with second degree murder and endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree.

Both subjects were each given a cash bond of $150,000 through Scott County Courts.  They are still in custody awaiting their arraignment.