An 18-year-old former employee at a Savage child-care center has admitted to suffocating two infants in her care, according to police. The confession, revealed this week after a months-long investigation, centers on the September death of 11-month-old Harvey Muklebust.
Investigation and Timeline
According to the Savage police, the first medical emergency at Rocking Horse Ranch unfolded on Sept. 19, when staff found a 4-month-old unresponsive, with blood and foam around the infant’s nose and mouth. Two days later, an 11-month-old was discovered not breathing and later died at a hospital. Detectives spent months interviewing staff members, parents, and contractors before focusing on a single staffer who had last contact with the affected children, as reported by CBS Minnesota.
Arrest and Confession
Police arrested Theah Loudemia Russell, 18, on Jan. 13 as she was leaving her home. Investigators say Russell confessed during questioning, offering detailed descriptions of how she carried out the suffocations. She allegedly told investigators she acted out of an "attention-seeking" impulse, Savage Police Chief Brady Juell said. "This person should never, ever be free again to harm another child," Juell told reporters, as reported by FOX 9.
Regulatory Fallout
State regulators moved quickly after the September emergencies. On Sept. 23, the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families suspended Rocking Horse Ranch’s license, saying the program posed an imminent risk of harm to children. State records also list nearly a dozen safety violations uncovered during inspections earlier in 2025, according to the Star Tribune.
Family Reaction
At a city news conference, Harvey’s grandmother described the 11-month-old as "such a blessing" and said the family is grateful for the work of investigators as they try to process what happened. Relatives and local officials said the arrest offers a measure of painful closure yet leaves unresolved questions about staffing and oversight at the child-care center, as reported by FOX 9.
What Investigators Say About the Worker
Police say a background review of Russell revealed a pattern of attention-seeking and what they describe as erratic behavior. That history included non-sensical 911 calls and incidents of fire-starting at a church camp, material that investigators say helped shape their probable-cause theory. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension assisted Savage police throughout the lengthy probe, and prosecutors say the combination of interviews and records ultimately led to Russell’s arrest, as reported by CBS Minnesota.
Legal Next Steps
Scott County prosecutors say formal charges are expected to be filed this week. Russell is being held in the Scott County Jail while prosecutors prepare a criminal complaint. Officials say the exact charges and court schedule will be set as they review the full case file. The state’s licensing action against Rocking Horse Ranch remains under appeal, according to reporting by News4SanAntonio.
