MOTHER CHARGED: Infant Found After Amber Alert

Kendra Meaker is escorted to court in Stark County, Illinois Friday, September 28, 2012. (WQAD Photo)

A 19-year-old mother faces felony charges after allegedly leaving her three-week-old baby on the side of a road.

Kendra Meaker of Toulon, Illinois was charged Friday, September 28, 2012 in Stark County, Illinois.  

Court records show Meaker is charged with endangering the life/health of a child, a class A misdemeanor.  She is also charged with obstructing justice by destroying evidence, a class 4 felony.

Meaker was charged after Stark County Sheriff Jimmie Dison said she confessed to leaving her infant, Mia Graci Thompson, on the side of a road in rural Stark County.  Meaker is accused of initially reporting the baby was kidnapped Thursday morning, September 27, which caused law enforcement to issue an Amber Alert.  Baby Mia was found safe that evening by volunteers helping to search for her.

Meaker was expected to make her first appearance in Stark County Court Friday, September 28.  She was held in the Stark County Jail.