Woman arrested after breaking into house to eat cereal and pet dog

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Police in Missouri arrested a woman after finding her inside a home, reportedly eating cereal in the kitchen.

Teara Joann Smith was arrested in Springfield, Missouri on March 3, as stated in a police report obtained by PEOPLE magazine.

According to police, the situation started when a homeowner called for help after finding an intruder in her kitchen. Her son had discovered the stranger inside the house.

The son said he came downstairs because he smelled something burning. He found Smith in the kitchen, eating Fruity Pebbles and petting their dog. He then told his mother that a woman he didn’t recognize was in the kitchen having cereal.

Police say suspect found eating cereal in kitchen

According to the police report, the homeowner found Smith in the kitchen and asked her to clean up the mess.

When police responded to the location, they reported finding spilled milk and Fruity Pebbles on the floor, along with a burning smell coming from the kitchen. They also stated that Smith was not wearing pants, shoes, or socks, and had a jacket tied around her waist.

Police reported that Smith seemed to be affected by drugs. They stated it took her a while to state her name, and she was acting strangely – smiling, giggling, and making comments that didn’t make sense.

The next day, while in jail, Smith spoke with authorities. She told police she had been walking and mistakenly thought a house was a fair, according to the official statement outlining the reason for her arrest.

According to police, Smith went to the front door, knocked, and rang the doorbell. After hearing a noise inside, she entered the house. She later mentioned she was hungry and wanted cereal.

Okay, so from what I understand, Smith claims she didn’t turn on the stove – she said it was already on when she got there. Apparently, she also told the police she’d had marijuana before everything happened. Now she’s facing a first-degree burglary charge, but she’s pleading not guilty, which is her right, of course.

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2026-03-06 23:50