A former employee of the Rocking Horse Ranch day care in Savage has been arrested after she allegedly admitted to intentionally suffocating two children, one of whom died last year, multiple media outlets are reporting.
Savage Police Chief Brady Juell said during a press conference that 911 was called on Sept. 22, 2025, to report a child — later identified as 11-month-old Harvey Muklebust — was not breathing, according to WCCO. Authorities responded and the boy was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
Three days prior, Savage police went to the day care on a report of an unresponsive 4-month-old with blood under their nose and mouth, the chief said.
Juell said an employee’s “behavior and actions at the scene immediately raised suspicion, drawing investigative focus to her as the primary person of interest,” WCCO reported.
Authorities investigated Russell’s background, finding “a documented history of attention-seeking behavior,” including “nonsensical” 911 calls, firestarting and “erratic behavior toward other children,” Juell said.
Juell said that during an interview, the employee confessed to “intentionally suffocating” Muklebust and the other child “in an attention-seeking act,” according to WCCO.
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