The death of an eleven-month-old boy at a Minnesota daycare and the near-fatal assault of a four-month-old girl have led to murder and assault charges against an 18-year-old employee, following a confession that authorities describe as both deliberate and deeply disturbing. The case has drawn national attention, not only because of the nature of the alleged crimes, but also due to broader scrutiny surrounding childcare oversight and public funding in the state.
Investigators say the events unfolded over several days in September 2025 at Rocking Horse Ranch daycare center, culminating in the death of infant and the arrest of daycare worker Theah Russell.
According to law enforcement officials, Russell admitted to intentionally suffocating both infants in what police characterized as an “attention-seeking act.” The confession followed a months-long investigation that identified Russell as the last caregiver to have contact with the children before their medical emergencies. She now faces second-degree murder charges in connection with Muklebust’s death, along with first- and third-degree assault charges related to the four-month-old child who survived.
Timeline of Medical Emergencies and Infant Death
Savage Police Chief Brady Juell outlined a detailed sequence of events during a press conference after Theah Russell’s arrest. On September 22, 2025, police were called to Rocking Horse Ranch daycare following a 911 report that an eleven-month-old child was not breathing. That child was later identified as Harvey Muklebust. Emergency responders transported him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Earlier the same day, a separate and troubling incident occurred involving a four-month-old infant at the same daycare. The infant was discovered with blood around her nose and mouth. Despite the alarming condition, authorities were not notified at the time. Three days prior to Muklebust’s death, police had already responded to an emergency call from the daycare involving that same four-month-old child, who was found unresponsive and was taken to the hospital. That earlier incident was initially classified as a medical emergency rather than a suspected crime.
The repetition of severe medical incidents involving two infants in such a short timeframe prompted a deeper investigation following Muklebust’s death. Authorities reviewed daycare records, staff schedules, and incident reports, and conducted interviews with employees, parents, and individuals associated with the facility. According to police, a pattern quickly became apparent.
Chief Juell stated that Russell, who had begun working at the daycare only three weeks before the fatal incident, was consistently present during each of the medical emergencies involving the infants. Investigators determined that she had been the last person to have contact with both children immediately before they became unresponsive.
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Based on the accumulating evidence, Russell was taken into custody and questioned. During the interrogation, police say she confessed to intentionally suffocating the infants. Juell said Russell provided detailed descriptions of how she carried out the attacks, including two separate attempts on the life of the four-month-old child and the fatal suffocation of Harvey.
Confession, Charges, and Investigative Findings
Authorities allege that Russell’s actions were deliberate rather than accidental or negligent. According to police, her confession indicated that the suffocations were intentional and motivated by a desire for attention. The nature of the alleged conduct led prosecutors to file serious felony charges.
Russell has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with Muklebust’s death. She also faces first-degree assault and third-degree assault charges related to the surviving infant. Prosecutors have indicated that additional charges are possible as the case progresses and further evidence is reviewed.
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Investigators also examined Russell’s background as part of the inquiry. Chief Juell said the investigation uncovered a history of behavior that authorities described as erratic and attention-seeking. According to police statements, this history included incidents involving inappropriate or alarming behavior toward other children, setting fires at a church camp, and making false 911 calls in the past. While these prior incidents were not directly connected to the daycare case, investigators said they contributed to a broader understanding of Russell’s behavioral patterns.
The police chief emphasized that dozens of interviews were conducted over a three-month period following Muklebust’s death. These included conversations with daycare staff members, parents of children enrolled at the facility, and contractors or service providers connected to Rocking Horse Ranch. Juell stated that the consistency of Russell’s presence in each critical incident was a key factor in narrowing the focus of the investigation.
Law enforcement officials have not indicated that other daycare employees are currently suspects in the case. However, the investigation into the daycare’s operations and oversight remains ongoing. The Minnesota Department of Human Services took administrative action shortly after the death, suspending Rocking Horse Ranch’s daycare license on September 23, 2025, one day after Muklebust was pronounced dead.
Broader Impact and Public Scrutiny
The case against Theah Russell has unfolded against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny of daycare facilities and childcare funding in Minnesota. While authorities have not linked Russell’s alleged actions to any systemic fraud or broader criminal activity at the daycare, the timing of the case has amplified public attention on the state’s childcare system.
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Minnesota has been facing intense debate following allegations raised by YouTuber Nick Shirley, who claimed that certain Somali-run daycare facilities in the state were defrauding taxpayers of millions of dollars. Those allegations, while separate from the Rocking Horse Ranch case, have contributed to increased political and public focus on childcare oversight and regulation.
In response to the broader controversy, the Trump administration announced a pause on all federal funding for child care assistance programs in Minnesota. The decision has sparked debate among lawmakers, advocacy groups, and families who rely on subsidized childcare. State officials have emphasized that the funding pause is not directly related to the Russell case, but the overlap in timing has led to the two issues being discussed together in public discourse.
For families affected by the tragedy at Rocking Horse Ranch, the focus remains on accountability and justice. The death of Harvey has left his family grieving, while the family of the surviving four-month-old infant continues to process the trauma of what authorities say were two separate attempts on the child’s life. Police have not released further details about the infant’s current condition, citing privacy concerns.
Chief Juell described the case as one of the most serious and emotionally challenging investigations his department has handled. He emphasized that the safety of children is a priority and that law enforcement and regulatory agencies are working to ensure that similar incidents are prevented in the future. As the case moves through the legal system, prosecutors are expected to present evidence including Russell’s confession, witness statements, medical findings, and daycare records.
Court proceedings will determine whether the charges result in a conviction and what penalties Russell may face if found guilty. The daycare remains closed following the suspension of its license, and parents have been advised to seek alternative childcare arrangements. State regulators are continuing to review the facility’s compliance history and internal practices.
The case has underscored the vulnerabilities present in childcare environments and the importance of thorough screening, supervision, and rapid response to medical emergencies. While the investigation has focused on the actions of one individual, its impact has extended far beyond a single daycare, influencing public trust, policy discussions, and the lives of families across the state.