Daycare worker indicted for first-degree murder in Savage infant death
A Scott County grand jury has indicted former Rocking Horse Ranch daycare employee Theah Russell, 19, on one count of premeditated first-degree murder, one count of first-degree murder while committing child abuse, and two counts of first-degree assault in the September 2025 death of 11-month-old Harvey Muklebust at the Savage center. Russell had previously faced a second-degree murder charge, but prosecutors now allege she intentionally choked Harvey because he was crying in his crib, and that she similarly choked a 5-month-old girl at the same daycare days earlier, causing multiple life-threatening episodes that doctors flagged as suspicious. Court records say the infant girl repeatedly arrived healthy and then suffered serious medical incidents only while in Russell's care, with a child-abuse specialist concluding abuse was likely. Russell remains jailed on $5 million bail and is scheduled to appear in court again May 22. Harvey's parents are simultaneously lobbying for "Harvey's Law," a stalled bill that would mandate surveillance cameras in licensed child-care centers statewide, a change that would directly affect metro daycare operations and how easily abuse inside infant rooms can be proved or disproved.
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📊 Relevant Data
Abuse and neglect reports at Minnesota daycares nearly doubled between 2022 and 2023, from 57 to 100. ([FOX 9](https://www.fox9.com/news/abuse-neglect-reports-minnesota-day-cares-trending-upward-records-reveal)) ([FOX 9](https://www.fox9.com/news/abuse-neglect-reports-minnesota-day-cares-trending-upward-records-reveal)) ([FOX 9](https://www.fox9.com/news/abuse-neglect-reports-minnesota-day-cares-trending-upward-records-reveal)) ([FOX 9](https://www.fox9.com/news/abuse-neglect-reports-minnesota-day-cares-trending-upward-records-reveal)) ([FOX 9](https://www.fox9.com/news/abuse-neglect-reports-minnesota-day-cares-trending-upward-records-reveal)) ([FOX 9](https://www.fox9.com/news/abuse-neglect-reports-minnesota-day-cares-trending-upward-records-reveal)) ([FOX 9](https://www.fox9.com/news/abuse-neglect-reports-minnesota-day-cares-trending-upward-records-reveal)) ([FOX 9](https://www.fox9.com/news/abuse-neglect-reports-minnesota-day-cares-trending-upward-records-reveal)) ([FOX 9](https://www.fox9.com/news/abuse-neglect-reports-minnesota-day-cares-trending-upward-records-reveal)) ([FOX 9](https://www.fox9.com/news/abuse-neglect-reports-minnesota-day-cares-trending-upward-records-reveal))
Abuse and neglect reports at Minnesota daycares trending upward, records reveal — FOX 9
In 2023, of people who perpetrated childhood maltreatment in the US, 47% were White, and more than three-quarters (76%) were parents to the victim(s). ([Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention](https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/statistical-briefing-book/victims/faqs/qa02111)) ([Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention](https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/statistical-briefing-book/victims/faqs/qa02111)) ([Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention](https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/statistical-briefing-book/victims/faqs/qa02111)) ([Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention](https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/statistical-briefing-book/victims/faqs/qa02111)) ([Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention](https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/statistical-briefing-book/victims/faqs/qa02111)) ([Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention](https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/statistical-briefing-book/victims/faqs/qa02111)) ([Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention](https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/statistical-briefing-book/victims/faqs/qa02111)) ([Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention](https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/statistical-briefing-book/victims/faqs/qa02111)) ([Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention](https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/statistical-briefing-book/victims/faqs/qa02111)) ([Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention](https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/statistical-briefing-book/victims/faqs/qa02111))
Characteristics of perpetrators of child maltreatment — Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
Men make up only a small proportion of childcare workers but are responsible for the majority of child sexual abuse in childcare settings. ([The Conversation](https://theconversation.com/childcare-sexual-abuse-is-mostly-committed-by-men-failing-to-recognise-that-puts-children-at-risk-260292)) ([The Conversation](https://theconversation.com/childcare-sexual-abuse-is-mostly-committed-by-men-failing-to-recognise-that-puts-children-at-risk-260292)) ([The Conversation](https://theconversation.com/childcare-sexual-abuse-is-mostly-committed-by-men-failing-to-recognise-that-puts-children-at-risk-260292)) ([The Conversation](https://theconversation.com/childcare-sexual-abuse-is-mostly-committed-by-men-failing-to-recognise-that-puts-children-at-risk-260292)) ([The Conversation](https://theconversation.com/childcare-sexual-abuse-is-mostly-committed-by-men-failing-to-recognise-that-puts-children-at-risk-260292)) ([The Conversation](https://theconversation.com/childcare-sexual-abuse-is-mostly-committed-by-men-failing-to-recognise-that-puts-children-at-risk-260292)) ([The Conversation](https://theconversation.com/childcare-sexual-abuse-is-mostly-committed-by-men-failing-to-recognise-that-puts-children-at-risk-260292)) ([The Conversation](https://theconversation.com/childcare-sexual-abuse-is-mostly-committed-by-men-failing-to-recognise-that-puts-children-at-risk-260292)) ([The Conversation](https://theconversation.com/childcare-sexual-abuse-is-mostly-committed-by-men-failing-to-recognise-that-puts-children-at-risk-260292)) ([The Conversation](https://theconversation.com/childcare-sexual-abuse-is-mostly-committed-by-men-failing-to-recognise-that-puts-children-at-risk-260292))
Childcare sexual abuse is mostly committed by men. Failing to recognise that puts children at risk — The Conversation
Harvey's Law stalled in the Minnesota Senate due to concerns about associated costs and privacy. ([KARE 11](https://www.kare11.com/article/news/politics/proposed-harveys-law-aims-to-protect-children-from-abuse-in-daycares/89-248aaa7d-c455-4a9d-a650-8ee790583da6)) ([KARE 11](https://www.kare11.com/article/news/politics/proposed-harveys-law-aims-to-protect-children-from-abuse-in-daycares/89-248aaa7d-c455-4a9d-a650-8ee790583da6)) ([KARE 11](https://www.kare11.com/article/news/politics/proposed-harveys-law-aims-to-protect-children-from-abuse-in-daycares/89-248aaa7d-c455-4a9d-a650-8ee790583da6)) ([KARE 11](https://www.kare11.com/article/news/politics/proposed-harveys-law-aims-to-protect-children-from-abuse-in-daycares/89-248aaa7d-c455-4a9d-a650-8ee790583da6)) ([KARE 11](https://www.kare11.com/article/news/politics/proposed-harveys-law-aims-to-protect-children-from-abuse-in-daycares/89-248aaa7d-c455-4a9d-a650-8ee790583da6)) ([KARE 11](https://www.kare11.com/article/news/politics/proposed-harveys-law-aims-to-protect-children-from-abuse-in-daycares/89-248aaa7d-c455-4a9d-a650-8ee790583da6)) ([KARE 11](https://www.kare11.com/article/news/politics/proposed-harveys-law-aims-to-protect-children-from-abuse-in-daycares/89-248aaa7d-c455-4a9d-a650-8ee790583da6)) ([KARE 11](https://www.kare11.com/article/news/politics/proposed-harveys-law-aims-to-protect-children-from-abuse-in-daycares/89-248aaa7d-c455-4a9d-a650-8ee790583da6)) ([KARE 11](https://www.kare11.com/article/news/politics/proposed-harveys-law-aims-to-protect-children-from-abuse-in-daycares/89-248aaa7d-c455-4a9d-a650-8ee790583da6)) ([KARE 11](https://www.kare11.com/article/news/politics/proposed-harveys-law-aims-to-protect-children-from-abuse-in-daycares/89-248aaa7d-c455-4a9d-a650-8ee790583da6))
Proposed 'Harvey's Law' aims to protect children from abuse in daycares — KARE 11
Increases in child abuse in Kentucky child care centers are linked to low wages, stressed staff, and staff-to-child ratios. ([Kentucky Lantern](https://kentuckylantern.com/2025/11/24/child-abuse-in-child-care-centers-linked-to-low-wages-staff-to-child-ratios-and-more)) ([Kentucky Lantern](https://kentuckylantern.com/2025/11/24/child-abuse-in-child-care-centers-linked-to-low-wages-staff-to-child-ratios-and-more)) ([Kentucky Lantern](https://kentuckylantern.com/2025/11/24/child-abuse-in-child-care-centers-linked-to-low-wages-staff-to-child-ratios-and-more)) ([Kentucky Lantern](https://kentuckylantern.com/2025/11/24/child-abuse-in-child-care-centers-linked-to-low-wages-staff-to-child-ratios-and-more)) ([Kentucky Lantern](https://kentuckylantern.com/2025/11/24/child-abuse-in-child-care-centers-linked-to-low-wages-staff-to-child-ratios-and-more)) ([Kentucky Lantern](https://kentuckylantern.com/2025/11/24/child-abuse-in-child-care-centers-linked-to-low-wages-staff-to-child-ratios-and-more)) ([Kentucky Lantern](https://kentuckylantern.com/2025/11/24/child-abuse-in-child-care-centers-linked-to-low-wages-staff-to-child-ratios-and-more)) ([Kentucky Lantern](https://kentuckylantern.com/2025/11/24/child-abuse-in-child-care-centers-linked-to-low-wages-staff-to-child-ratios-and-more)) ([Kentucky Lantern](https://kentuckylantern.com/2025/11/24/child-abuse-in-child-care-centers-linked-to-low-wages-staff-to-child-ratios-and-more)) ([Kentucky Lantern](https://kentuckylantern.com/2025/11/24/child-abuse-in-child-care-centers-linked-to-low-wages-staff-to-child-ratios-and-more))
Abuse increase in Kentucky child care centers linked to low wages, stressed staff — Kentucky Lantern
Child care educators do not express a strong opinion on whether CCTV cameras prevent violence and child abuse by caregivers. ([Springer Link](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40723-022-00102-3)) ([Springer Link](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40723-022-00102-3)) ([Springer Link](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40723-022-00102-3)) ([Springer Link](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40723-022-00102-3)) ([Springer Link](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40723-022-00102-3)) ([Springer Link](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40723-022-00102-3)) ([Springer Link](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40723-022-00102-3)) ([Springer Link](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40723-022-00102-3)) ([Springer Link](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40723-022-00102-3)) ([Springer Link](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40723-022-00102-3))
📌 Key Facts
- A Scott County grand jury indicted 19‑year‑old daycare worker Theah Russell on charges including premeditated first-degree murder and first-degree murder while committing child abuse.
- Russell is accused of choking 11‑month‑old Harvey Muklebust to death on Sept. 22, 2025 at Rocking Horse Ranch daycare in Savage, and of choking a 5‑month‑old girl at the same center days earlier.
- The second infant suffered multiple medical emergencies at the daycare, was initially diagnosed with a BRUE, and a child‑abuse specialist later raised alarms about likely abuse tied to Russell’s care.
- Russell allegedly admitted in an interview that she choked both infants when they cried; she is being held on $5 million bail with her next court date set for May 22, 2026.
- Harvey’s parents are pushing “Harvey’s Law,” legislation that would require surveillance cameras in licensed child‑care centers, though the bill is currently stalled in committee at the Legislature.
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