Theah Russell intentional suffocated 11 & 4 month olds

In September 2025 Theah Russell, 18 a daycare worker at Rocking Horse Ranch daycare,  intentionally suffocated Harvey Muklebust, 11 months old.

Savage police were called to the Rocking Horse Ranch daycare on 19 September 2025 for a 4-month old who had blood around her mouth and foam coming out of her mouth.  She started breathing and was taken to the hospital by her parents!  The 4-month old had no further issues that weekend.  On Monday 22 September 2025 the 4-month old returned to the day care healthy at 8:30 am.  A short time after that 4-month old was found to be unresponsive with blood around her nose and mouth.  The parents notified and they returned to the cienter and transported that child to the hospital.  The pd was not called to that incident.

At approximately 10 am Theah Loudemia Russell called 911 that an 11-month old was unresponsive. Police, fire and ems responded immediately and found Harvey Muklebust.  Life saving efforts were immediately started.  Harvey was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced at 11:34 am.

On 13 January 2026 Russell confessed to “intentionally suffocating” Harvey and the other child “in an attention-seeking act,” according to Savage Police Chief Brady Juell. He added the employee “confessed to the attempted murder of our first victim on two occasions and to the murder of Harvey Muklebust.”

Russell had only worked at the day care for three weeks before Harvey’s death.

On Thursday 15 January 2026 Russell’s charged were upgraded from 2nd degree murder.

Here is the press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SAVAGE, MN – January 13, 2026 – The Savage Police Department has made an arrest in connection with the death of Harvey Muklebust at Rocking Horse Ranch. The City of Savage will hold a press conference on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Savage City Hall, 6000 McColl Drive, to share details about the arrest and what happens next.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Police investigating infant death at Savage daycare

Savage, Minnesota- September 25, 2025 – The Savage Police and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension continue to investigate what caused the death of an infant on Monday, September 22, at Rocking Horse Ranch Childcare.

Savage Police attended the autopsy, but final results and toxicology reports typically take several months. Investigators have interviewed multiple individuals, thoroughly examined the scene, and sent evidence to the laboratory for testing.

This investigation is ongoing and comprehensive, and investigators are not ruling out any possible causes. Police will provide updates when new information becomes available for public release. Our thoughts are with the family during this incredibly difficult time. Out of respect for the family and in keeping with state law, the child’s name will not be made public.

Anyone with information about this incident can contact Detective Sergeant Andrew Dahmes at 952-882-2601.

Minnesota Department of Human Services MDHS, MN state has suspended Rocking Horse Ranch’s license on 23 September 2025, and that suspension is under appeal.

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