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. It remains unclear whether she has entered a plea or obtained legal representation.
The arrest followed a three-month investigation into the passing of 11-month-old Harvey Muklebust. Russell alerted authorities on September 22 last year when she noticed Harvey was not breathing. Subsequently, Scott County Sheriff’s officers launched an inquiry into the incident at Rocking Horse Ranch in Savage, Minnesota.
Just prior to Harvey’s death, police responded to a separate incident involving a baby girl who was having difficulty breathing and exhibiting signs of distress. Although the child recovered by the time officers arrived, her parents took her to a hospital for evaluation. Initially considered a medical episode with no foul play suspected, the child was discharged and seemed fine over the weekend.
Upon returning to the day care on September 22, the same child started showing symptoms again, prompting her parents to seek medical attention once more. The Minnesota Department of Human Services suspended the facility’s license due to concerns over potential harm to children.
During a press conference, Savage Police Chief Brady Juell expressed suspicions about Russell’s behavior, identifying her as a person of interest. Investigators delved into Russell’s background, employment history, and associations.
Chief Juell stated, “We have reason to believe Theah Russell intentionally suffocated these children on three occasions for attention, leading to the tragic death of Harvey Muklebust.” The obituary for Harvey described him as a few days shy of turning one, portraying him as a source of joy and happiness.
A fundraising campaign was initiated to cover funeral expenses, highlighting Harvey’s infectious smile and ability to brighten any room. Chief Juell acknowledged the profound impact the case had on the community.