Posted: Oct. 17, 2014 9:45 am Updated: Oct. 31, 2014 11:15 am

By DON O'BRIEN

Herald-Whig Staff Writer

HANNIBAL, Mo. -- A Hannibal woman was arrested earlier this week and charged with felony first-degree child endangerment after allegedly using her infant son as a human shield and throwing the boy at a police officer.

Amy M. Spegal, 29, was arrested Tuesday after an incident at 13A Shawnee Trail. She was officially charged with the felony on Wednesday by Marion County Prosecuting Attorney David Clayton. Her bond was set at $25,000 cash only.

A probable cause statement filed in the case shows Hannibal police went to Spegal's residence on Shawnee Trail to look for James Ivey, 33, who was being sought on a city arrest warrant. Police said Spegal answered the front door, then slammed it on police after she said Ivey was not at the residence.

Detective John Willis said he heard another door slam in the back of the residence. He said Spegal returned to the front door with her child, who police said is less than a year old, in her arms. Willis again asked if Ivey was there.

Spegal replied, "No, come on in and search," Willis said in his report.

As Willis searched the house, he reported finding a small bag filled with a green leafy substance on a bedside table. Spegal said the bag contained synthetic marijuana.

Willis reported he heard through radio traffic that Ivey had been found behind the residence. Spegal then told Willis to stop his search. Willis agreed, but he wrote in his report that he told Spegal that he would have to arrest her for the synthetic marijuana he found.

"At this time, Amy and I were facing each other, and she still had her baby in her arms," Willis wrote. "Amy pushed the baby out to me and let go. Before I could get my arms out to catch the baby, Amy was running towards the bathroom. I caught the baby. I turned and sat the baby down on the carpet. I ran after Amy."

Willis said he heard a toilet flush, then saw Spegal pull her pants down and sit on the toilet before she slammed the door shut. Willis said he believed Spegal was disposing of evidence.

Willis said Spegal eventually consented to a search of the rest of the residence and her vehicle. Willis reported finding a loaded wooden-stocked AK-47 style rifle in the trunk of the vehicle.

Willis said the baby was taken into custody by the Missouri Department of Social Services Children's Division.

If convicted, Spegal could be sentenced to up to seven years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. She is next due in court Friday for an arraignment hearing.

Ivey was not charged in the incident.

-- dobrien@whig.com/221-3370