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Daycare Worker Accused of Suffocating Kids for Attention
18 Jan
Summary
- Daycare worker allegedly admitted to suffocating children for attention.
- An 11-month-old died after alleged attempts by the worker.
- The worker had a documented history of attention-seeking behavior.
A Minnesota daycare worker is facing serious charges after allegedly admitting to suffocating two young children to gain attention. Theah Loudemia Russell, 18, was arrested following a three-month investigation into medical complications that occurred while children were in her care at the Rocking Horse Ranch childcare facility. The investigation intensified after 11-month-old Harvey Muklebust died just days before his first birthday.
Authorities were initially alerted to the daycare in September 2025 when a four-month-old infant was found not breathing. While this incident initially seemed like a medical episode, a doctor's concern about possible asphyxiation prompted further investigation. Shortly after, Russell reported Muklebust had stopped breathing, and he was pronounced dead at the hospital.
