Michigan Mom Calls in false bomb threats to Daughter's School Over Play | Crime Alert Recap Saturday
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Crime alert. Hourly update. Breaking crime news now. I'm Jackie Howard. Jail time and probation. That's what's ahead for a Michigan mom. Crystal Royster, 42, twice called in false bomb threats to her daughter's Detroit school after the girl wasn't allowed to take part in a school play. Authorities say the daughter could not participate due to school policy after being sick and going home earlier that day. Over 700 people had to be evacuated from Lakeshore High School as St. Clair Shores Police and other jurisdictions rolled in to respond.
What led a Michigan mom to call in false bomb threats to her daughter's school?
Charges of a false report or threat of a bomb is a four-year felony, and Royster pleaded guilty. She will serve probation for 18 months after spending 14 days in the Maycomb County Jail. As part of her probation, Royster is not allowed to contact the victims of the incident and must notify the school before heading onto the grounds. She also has to take part in a Class A impulse control classes. More crime and justice news after this.
I'm Jennifer Gould. A teenage daycare worker entrusted with the lives of helpless infants transformed a Minnesota nursery into a personal death trap, intentionally suffocating babies just to satisfy a sick craving for attention. Thea Ludemia Russell, 18, was hauled off to jail after delivering a bone-chilling confession to cops. She spent weeks smothering children until they turned quote-unquote white-purple and sprayed blood-tinged foam from their mouths, all so she could play hero when paramedics arrived. Here's Savage Police Chief Brady Jewell at the news conference.
This murder, an attempted murder of another child, deeply affected our community. This person should never ever again be free to harm another child.
The three-month investigation into the Rocking Horse Ranch child care in Savage, Minnesota, revealed that Russell's twisted bid for sympathy ended in the senseless murder of 11-month-old Harvey Mucklebust, who was slaughtered just five days before he was set to celebrate his first birthday. The nightmare began on September 19, 2025, when Russell allegedly targeted a four-month-old girl twice in a single shift. During a routine burping session, the teen reportedly smothered the infant until the baby vomited a, quote, blood-like substance, end quote, and stopped breathing. Russell dialed 911, feeding off the emergency she had just manufactured. Hours later, she did it again to the same child, but her bloodlust wasn't sated.
On September 22nd, she cornered little Harvey in the infant room. She crushed that boy's chest and covered his face until he was unresponsive with blood pooling around his little nose. Staff performed CPR, but Harvey was pronounced dead at the hospital, his tiny body unable to survive Russell's depraved quest for validation. An autopsy ruled out trauma or toxins, pointing investigators towards foul play. Chief Jewell branded the teen, quote, the common denominator in the carnage, end quote, uncovering a dark history of false 911 calls and fire setting at a church camp. Classic markers, they say, of Munchhausen syndrome by proxy. It is the ultimate fake tragedy sickness where a caregiver intentionally injures, mutilates or smothers a victim just to soak up pity and play the hero.
In a crisis they secretly sparked, prosecutors confirmed Russell faces second-degree murder for Harvey's death and attempted murder charges for that little girl. She remains held in Scott County Jail. The daycare's license was suspended immediately after Harvey's death, and it closed permanently amid the probe.
I'm Nicole Parton. A grieving widow is sharing her experience after her husband was tragically shot and killed when they mistakenly entered a stranger's driveway. Sheila Booker recounted if the police hadn't got there when they did, I would probably be dead too. Take a listen.
He pulled a gun up in my face and that's when my husband got out. When my husband got out trying to protect me, he don't even... And that's when he shot my husband right in front of me.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–0:41
2
What led a Michigan mom to call in false bomb threats to her daughter's school?
0:41–5:13
3
What were the consequences of the false bomb threats made by the mother?
5:13–7:42
4
How did a teenage daycare worker's actions lead to tragic consequences?
7:42–9:16
Speakers
5 identifiedMore from Crime Stories with Nancy Grace
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