A Daycare Worker's Disturbing Actions Raise Questions

A young daycare worker in Minnesota has been arrested for a shocking incident that left one child dead and another injured. Theah Russell, just 18 years old, allegedly suffocated two infants at the Rocking Horse Ranch childcare center in Savage. The disturbing part? She reportedly did this to get attention. Russell had only been working at the center for three weeks when the incidents happened. On September 22, 2025, she called 911 to report that an 11-month-old boy, Harvey Muklebust, was not breathing. The boy was rushed to the hospital but died shortly after. Just two hours earlier, a four-month-old girl was found in a similar condition, with blood around her nose and mouth. This was the second time in three days she was found like this, but it was initially thought to be a medical issue.Police started to suspect Russell when they noticed her strange behavior and actions at the scene. They found out that she had the last contact with both children before the incidents. After a three-month investigation, it was revealed that Russell had a history of attention-seeking behavior, including making nonsensical 911 calls and starting fires. When questioned by police, Russell allegedly confessed to intentionally suffocating both children to get attention. This behavior is similar to a condition known as Munchausen by proxy syndrome (MBPS), where a caregiver causes harm to a child to gain sympathy and attention from others. The case has left the community in shock and sadness. The daycare center has been shut down, and its license has been suspended. While no charges have been filed against the daycare or its owner, the incident has raised serious questions about the safety and supervision of children in such facilities.