Sikeston woman scheduled for arraignment

BENTON, Mo. -- A 28-year-old Sikeston woman charged with stabbing to death her estranged boyfriend Friday is expected to be arraigned today in Circuit Court.

Stephanie Miles is being held at the Scott County Jail without bail. She has been charged with second-degree murder.

The stabbing occurred about 1:30 a.m. Friday at Miles' residence, 249 W. Kathleen in Sikeston. Police were at Missouri Delta Medical Center investigating a dog bite report when 34-year-old Sherman Baker of Sikeston was brought to the emergency room by friends. He had a single stab wound to the chest. Attempts to resuscitate Baker there were unsuccessful.

The results of an autopsy performed on the victim are expected to be complete within two weeks, Scott County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Boyd said.

Baker also lived in Sikeston, at 305 S. West St. The two previously had shared a residence at another address, according to Lt. Mark Crocker of the Sikeston Department of Public Safety.

Miles had filed several complaints against Baker for assault, police said. Last year, she filed and dismissed an ex parte order against him.

Witnesses told police Miles got a knife from the kitchen after Baker shoved her against a stove. He went outside the house and Miles stabbed him when they confronted each other again at the front door, witnesses told police.

Crocker said two witnesses were present at the time of the stabbing. The three children Miles and Baker have in common were staying with a relative at the time of the stabbing, he said.

Crocker said the suspect told him Baker came to her house to arrange a visit with his son, who turned 2 that day.

sblackwell@semissourian.com

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