Savage Daycare Worker Indicted For Murder Of Infant, Assaulting Another Child

SAVAGE, MN — An 18-year-old daycare worker has been indicted on first-degree murder and assault charges in connection with the death of a 10-month-old boy and alleged abuse of another infant at a Savage childcare center last fall.

Theah Loudemia Russell, of Savage, faces four felony counts, including premeditated first-degree murder, first-degree murder while committing child abuse with a past pattern of abuse, and two counts of first-degree assault causing great bodily harm.

First-degree murder in Minnesota carries a mandatory life sentence.

The charges stem from a Sept. 22, 2025, incident at Rocking Horse Daycare, where first responders were called around 10:10 a.m. for a report of an infant not breathing.

Officers arrived within seconds and found 10-month-old Harvey Gene Muklebust in a daycare worker’s arms inside a playroom.

Harvey was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:34 a.m.

An autopsy conducted the following day determined the infant died from suffocation and ruled the manner of death a homicide.

Investigators later learned of two similar medical incidents involving another infant at the daycare in the days before Harvey’s death. Authorities said Russell was the common factor in all three cases.

Russell was arrested Jan. 13 and interviewed by investigators.

According to the Scott County Attorney’s Office, she admitted to harming both children.

“During the interview, Ms. Russell made admissions about all three incidents,” County Attorney Ron Hocevar said. “Her admissions started with Harvey, confessing that she ‘choked’ him.”

When asked to clarify, Russell told investigators she put her fingers down the infant’s throat, according to the complaint. Authorities say she also admitted to committing similar acts against the second child.

A Scott County grand jury returned the indictment this week, and the charges were unsealed Wednesday in court.

“The death of a small child is always a tragedy, but a premature and premeditated taking of that young life goes beyond tragedy and becomes a heinous crime,” Hocevar said.

Savage Police Chief Brady Juell called the case “unspeakable.”

“Our hearts go out to everyone who knew and loved Harvey,” Juell said.

Russell is now expected to face prosecution on all four counts. Authorities said the case remains under review as it moves through the court process.