Teenage Daycare Worker Suspected of Choking Two Infants

A worker at a daycare center near Minneapolis is under suspicion for choking two young children to garner “attention,” including one who tragically died just before turning one, according to police reports this week.

Thea Loudemia Russell, aged 18, admitted to “deliberately suffocating” the two children at Rocking Horse Ranch in Savage, which is about 32 miles from the Twin Cities, police announced during a press conference.

Russell had been employed at the daycare for only three weeks when she was taken into custody on murder and related charges early Tuesday morning.

Savage Police Chief Brady Jewell stated that after Russell’s status as a suspect emerged, a three-month-long investigation uncovered a “documented history of attention-seeking behavior,” including “nonsensical” 911 calls and incidents of arson, along with other peculiar conduct towards other children.

On September 22, 2025, Russell called the police to report that 11-month-old Harvey Muklebust was not breathing.

The infant was rushed to a nearby hospital but was unfortunately pronounced dead shortly before noon.

Earlier on that same day, another infant, just four months old, was discovered unresponsive with “blood around the nose and mouth.” This was the second time in three days that she had been found in such a state, and it was initially believed to be a medical episode.

During the first incident, first responders quickly transported the girl to the hospital, while her parents took her for treatment in the second case. Two hours later, Russell called 911 again regarding Muklebust’s situation.

Jewell remarked that Russell’s unusual actions at the scene raised immediate suspicion and directed the investigation towards her as a person of interest.

“A clear pattern emerged,” Jewell explained, noting that Russell had interacted with both children just before these alarming events.

Multiple agencies participated in the ongoing investigation.

When questioned by police, Russell allegedly confessed to “deliberately suffocating” both infants to seek attention. The police chief mentioned that the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit played a key role in assembling the case, possibly pointing detectives towards known behaviors seen in similar cases.

While the specifics of any mental health issues have not been disclosed, it is believed that Russell’s actions may reflect a disorder known as “Munchausen syndrome by proxy,” familiar to FBI profilers.

According to Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, this syndrome involves a caregiver fabricating or causing symptoms in a child to gain attention and sympathy from medical professionals. The motivations often stem from a desire not just for the attention associated with the child’s “illness,” but also for the gratification of deceiving those they view as more significant or powerful.

“This is a heartbreaking incident that has shocked the entire community,” Chief Jewell expressed. “Words cannot convey the deep sadness I feel for the Muklebast family and everyone impacted by this tragedy.”

As for Rocking Horse Ranch and its owners, no charges have been filed against them yet. However, the facility has been closed following a state-ordered suspension of its license, which is currently being appealed.