Mother Sentenced for Boy’s Death

A Mid-Missouri woman was sentenced in Callaway County Court Wednesday for the death of her 9-month-old child.Megan Ayers, 31, was sentenced to five years in prison, but could be released on probation after serving 120 days in jail. She was facing a maximum sentence of 21 years in prison.Ayers was originally charged with endangering the welfare of a child, possession of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor count of unlawful use of drug paraphernalia. She pleaded guilty in December to the amended charges of two counts of endangering the welfare of a child and possession of a controlled substance.Callaway County Prosecutor Chris Wilson emphasizes this was an open plea, rather than a plea agreement. Wilson says nothing in the Medical Examiner’s autopsy report or in the toxicology report warranted a homicide charge. The manner of death was ruled natural causes, but the exact cause was undetermined.Wilson added that the death may be associated with small vessel vasculitis, which he described as the inflammation of blood vessels in the central nervous system.In June, Callaway County authorities responded to a home on South Summit Drive in Holts Summit and found the unresponsive 9-month old child. Authorities also found meth and drug paraphernalia in the home.Ayers’ co-defendant, 23-year-old Bryan Sartor, is still charged with endangering the welfare of a child, possession of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor count of unlawful use of drug paraphernalia. His jury trial is scheduled to start February 6th in Fulton.