24 year Old Woman Arrested in Cities 30th Shooting/Homicide if 4 year old baby.

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October 14, 2023
Shooting Incident

TOPEKA, Kan. – On Saturday, October 14, 2023, officers with the Topeka Police Department (TPD)
responded to the 400 block of NE Grattan St. on the report of a shooting. TPD officers were able to
secure the scene and located a child who appeared to be suffering from a gunshot wound. The child was
transported to a local hospital where it later died from its injuries.

Update

The deceased has been identified as Lawrencia Perez-Belair, 4, Topeka.

As a result of the investigation Mariann L. Belair, 24, Topeka was transported to the Shawnee County
Department of Corrections for the below listed charges.

Murder in the 1st degree, in the commission of a felony
Aggravated Endangering a child, reckless situation

It is unknown at this time exactly what the relationship is between the victim child, and the woman charged and arrested, although they both share the same last name.

All individuals involved have been identified and the investigation is ongoing. The identity of the
deceased will be released once next of kin notifications have been made. (The deceased has been identified as Lawrencia Perez-Belair, 4, Topeka.)

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to email telltpd@topeka.org or
contact the Topeka Police Criminal Investigation Bureau at 785-368-9400. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007. You can also make anonymous tips online at www.p3tips.com/128. All persons charged with a criminal offense are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.