An 18-year-old childcare worker in Minnesota has allegedly confessed to murdering one baby and attempting to kill another, with police stating her motive was a desire for attention.
A Series of Horrific Incidents at Rocking Horse Ranch
Theah Loudemia Russell, aged 18 from Savage, was arrested on Tuesday following a three-month investigation into serious injuries suffered by two infants at the Rocking Horse Ranch childcare facility. Authorities revealed that Russell was employed at the centre for a mere three weeks before the tragic events unfolded.
According to a criminal complaint, the first victim was a four-month-old girl. On September 19, the infant was discovered with blood and foam under her nose and mouth. Russell initially claimed the baby began vomiting and turned a "white purple" colour while being burped. The child survived this first incident.
However, the following Monday, the same infant was found unresponsive and not breathing, again with blood around her nose and mouth. Russell offered another explanation, stating the baby had fallen asleep on her stomach before starting to cry silently. This infant ultimately survived both harrowing attacks.
The Fatal Attack on 11-Month-Old Harvey Muklebust
The third and fatal incident involved 11-month-old Harvey Muklebust. Court documents allege that Russell told investigators Harvey's parents had given him melatonin for constipation to help him sleep. After putting him down, Russell reportedly asked a colleague to check on the boy, claiming she had heard him cry.
The co-worker found Harvey unresponsive with a blood-like substance on his mattress. When police and medical help arrived, Russell was allegedly holding the infant, who was described as being "blue" in colour. Despite efforts to save him, Harvey tragically died in hospital just five days before his first birthday.
Savage Police Chief Brady Juell stated unequivocally at a Wednesday press conference: "Theah Russell has confessed to the attempted murder of our first victim on two occasions and to the murder of Harvey Muklebust."
A History of Disturbing Attention-Seeking Behaviour
The investigation into Russell's background uncovered a pattern of alarming conduct. Police described a "documented history of attention-seeking behaviour," which included making nonsensical calls to emergency services, starting fires at a church camp, and displaying erratic behaviour towards other children.
"Russell was a common denominator in each of these incidents," Chief Juell explained. "She had last contact with each of the affected children." Her behaviour at the scene of Harvey's death immediately raised suspicion, marking her as the primary person of interest.
The Rocking Horse Ranch facility has been shut down following the infant's death. A GoFundMe page set up for Harvey's funeral remembered him as "pure happiness and sunshine from the moment he was born," adding that his contagious smile could light up an entire room.
Theah Loudemia Russell has been booked into Scott County Jail on charges of second-degree murder and first- and third-degree felony assault. She is scheduled to make her first court appearance on February 4.
