Theah Loudemia Russell, an 18-year-old daycare worker at Rocking Horse Ranch in Savage, Minnesota, faces charges of second-degree murder and felony assault for allegedly suffocating two infants, including 11-month-old Harvey Muklebust who died on September 22, 2025.​
Incident Overview
Russell reportedly called 911 after Harvey stopped breathing following her last contact with him; three days earlier, she was linked to a 5-month-old girl who exhibited similar symptoms like unresponsiveness, blood, and foam from the mouth on September 19. Despite initial medical evaluations suggesting no foul play, her behavior at the scenes raised suspicions during a three-month investigation.​​
Confession and Background
During questioning on January 13, 2026, Russell allegedly confessed to intentionally choking both children by putting fingers down their throats on three occasions to seek attention, per police and charging documents. Her history includes erratic actions like false 911 calls, fire-starting at church camp, and odd behavior toward other children, leading to her arrest; the daycare’s license was suspended shortly after for safety risks. Chief Brady Juell called the case heartbreaking, vowing support for the Muklebust family.​
