An 18-year-old day care worker has been accused of causing the death of a baby just days before his first birthday in a bid to seek attention.
Theah Loudemia Russell was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and felony assault on January 13 in connection with the death of 11-month-old Harvey Muklebust. The arrest followed a three-month investigation initiated after Russell reported the baby was not breathing on September 22.
Authorities in Scott County, Minnesota, began probing the incident at Rocking Horse Ranch in Savage after responding to a prior report involving a baby girl who had difficulty breathing and exhibited signs of distress days before Harvey’s death.
Although the baby girl was taken to a hospital and released, no immediate suspicion of foul play was raised at the time. However, upon her return to the day care and subsequent display of symptoms, her parents sought medical attention once more without involving the police.
Following the events, the Minnesota Department of Human Services suspended the day care facility’s license due to concerns about potential harm to children.
During a press conference, Savage Police Chief Brady Juell stated that Russell’s actions had raised suspicions, making her a person of interest in the investigation. He mentioned that Russell had last interacted with the affected children before the incidents occurred.
Chief Juell revealed that investigators had probable cause to believe that Russell intentionally suffocated the children on multiple occasions for attention-seeking purposes, with the third incident resulting in Harvey Muklebust’s tragic death.
Harvey was described in an obituary as a joyful child who brought happiness to everyone around him, with a GoFundMe campaign set up to cover funeral expenses. Chief Juell emphasized that the case had deeply impacted the community.