Stayton mom accused in toddler son's house fire death back in jail

A Stayton mother accused of manslaughter and child neglect following her toddler son's death in a house fire was back in jail Thursday after spending more than a month on the lam.

With shorter, lighter hair showing in her mugshot, Jessica Pearce, 26, was booked into the Marion County jail on a warrant. 

The warrant was issued for Pearce's arrest and her $5,000 security bond was forfeited after she failed to appear in court Sept. 12. 

Pearce was charged with second-degree manslaughter and second-degree child neglect following the death of 2-year-old Christopher Pearce in a suspected arson fire. 

On Feb. 1, a three-alarm fire tore through a home on Washington Street in Stayton. Emergency responders found Christopher dead inside the home where he and his mother lived with roommates. 

During Pearce's bail hearing, prosecutor Brendan Murphy said the toddler was left unsupervised with flammable aerosol cans and loose wiring left around a fire pit in his play area. He said Pearce also used meth around her son.

Pearce was arrested almost three months after the fire. 

On April 23, officials with the Oregon Department of Human Services confirmed they had opened a Critical Incident Response Team investigation into Christopher’s death. The agency conducts CIRT investigations when a child, after having previous contact with DHS, dies or is seriously injured as a result of abuse or neglect.

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Prosecutors said Pearce had come to the attention of child welfare services 18 different times over the past five years and had two other children in child services. 

Pearce was held without bail in Marion County jail until a pretrial release hearing on July 2. 

During the hearing, Pearce's friends and family filled the courtroom gallery. Marion County Judge Courtland Geyer said the turnout showed ties to the community and a support system.

Murphy said that same community did not cooperate with child welfare services and made it difficult for the agency to find Pearce. He argued for a higher bail amount, but Geyer set Pearce's bail at $50,000.

Previous coverage:Mom granted bail as she awaits trial for son's death in house fire

After posting $5,000 security and agreeing to appear at future hearings, Pearce was released from jail. 

Prosecutors filed a motion to revoke Pearce's release agreement when she failed to appear in court for a Sept. 12 hearing. 

Pearce was rearrested Thursday evening by Marion County Sheriff's deputies and taken to jail.

During her court appearance Friday, Judge Daniel Wren set her bail at $100,000. 

He set her next court appearance with Judge Geyer on Thursday.

"That's it?" Pearce asked.

Wren said yes, and she was led back to jail. 

For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodwort@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-399-6884 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth