Topline: An extensive search revealed decomposed remains of a human child in a trash bag.
Published: February 5, 2025 7:30 am ET
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ROSE HILL, KS — Police say a Kansas couple killed their adopted daughter and buried her in their backyard, leaving her body there for over four years.
The Rose Hill Police Department announced 50-year-old Crystina Elizabeth Schroer and 53-year-old Joseph Shane Schroer were arrested as the result of an investigation into the death of their six-year-old adopted daughter.
Police said a call was made to dispatch on September 10, 2024, which began an investigation lasting several months. During this initial contact, officers discovered “the possibility of human remains having been buried in the backyard of 1406 North Meeker Court, Rose Hill, Kansas.”
In the early morning hours of September 11, a search warrant was secured for the property of this residence, and a search began. The ground was overgrown in the search area, so cadaver dogs were deployed. With no positive indications, a brush hog was brought in and knocked down the vegetation. Another deployment of the canines was completed with interest being shown to different areas in the backyard, but still with no positive indication.
A forensic dig began at one of the locations of interest and hours later, approximately 23 inches deep, the decomposed remains of a human child were found in a trash bag.
A postmortem was completed on September 12.
On September 27, DNA testing was completed and confirmed the identity of the decedent as Kennedy Schroer (adopted name)/Natalie Garcia (birth name).
As the investigation began, detectives assisted in the dig, neighborhood canvasing, initial interviews, and organizing information as it came in. As the investigation progressed, other agencies were brought in to assist, such as FBI, Wichita Satellite Office, FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU, Quantico), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Kansas Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Division, Department of Children and Families (DCF) investigation division, Exploited and Missing Children’s Unit (EMCU), and Civilian experts in the fields of trauma and abuse.
On November 20, 2024, the postmortem report was completed and found Kennedy/Natalie’s cause of death was probable suffocation, and her manner of death was homicide.
Police believe the child was killed in November 2020.
Investigators also allege the parents had been receiving Medicaid payments after the child’s death.
Crystina was charged with the following:
– Murder in the 1st degree
– Kidnapping, aggravated
– Child abuse, torture (x4)
– Theft, felony (value under $25,000)
– Forgery (x4)
– Medicaid fraud
– Desecration of a corpse
Joseph was charged with:
– Child abuse, torture (x4)
– Liability for crimes of another
– Interference with Law Enforcement
– Theft, felony (value under $25,000)
– Medicaid fraud
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Police: Kansas Couple Strangled Adopted Daughter, Buried Her in Backyard
An extensive search revealed decomposed remains of a human child in a trash bag.
By Jacob Charles
Published: February 5, 2025 7:30 am ET
ROSE HILL, KS — Police say a Kansas couple killed their adopted daughter and buried her in their backyard, leaving her body there for over four years.
The Rose Hill Police Department announced 50-year-old Crystina Elizabeth Schroer and 53-year-old Joseph Shane Schroer were arrested as the result of an investigation into the death of their six-year-old adopted daughter.
Police said a call was made to dispatch on September 10, 2024, which began an investigation lasting several months. During this initial contact, officers discovered “the possibility of human remains having been buried in the backyard of 1406 North Meeker Court, Rose Hill, Kansas.”
In the early morning hours of September 11, a search warrant was secured for the property of this residence, and a search began. The ground was overgrown in the search area, so cadaver dogs were deployed. With no positive indications, a brush hog was brought in and knocked down the vegetation. Another deployment of the canines was completed with interest being shown to different areas in the backyard, but still with no positive indication.
A forensic dig began at one of the locations of interest and hours later, approximately 23 inches deep, the decomposed remains of a human child were found in a trash bag.
A postmortem was completed on September 12.
On September 27, DNA testing was completed and confirmed the identity of the decedent as Kennedy Schroer (adopted name)/Natalie Garcia (birth name).
As the investigation began, detectives assisted in the dig, neighborhood canvasing, initial interviews, and organizing information as it came in. As the investigation progressed, other agencies were brought in to assist, such as FBI, Wichita Satellite Office, FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU, Quantico), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Kansas Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Division, Department of Children and Families (DCF) investigation division, Exploited and Missing Children’s Unit (EMCU), and Civilian experts in the fields of trauma and abuse.
On November 20, 2024, the postmortem report was completed and found Kennedy/Natalie’s cause of death was probable suffocation, and her manner of death was homicide.
Police believe the child was killed in November 2020.
Investigators also allege the parents had been receiving Medicaid payments after the child’s death.
Crystina was charged with the following:
– Murder in the 1st degree
– Kidnapping, aggravated
– Child abuse, torture (x4)
– Theft, felony (value under $25,000)
– Forgery (x4)
– Medicaid fraud
– Desecration of a corpse
Joseph was charged with:
– Child abuse, torture (x4)
– Liability for crimes of another
– Interference with Law Enforcement
– Theft, felony (value under $25,000)
– Medicaid fraud
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Police: Kansas Couple Strangled Adopted Daughter, Buried Her in Backyard
An extensive search revealed decomposed remains of a human child in a trash bag.
By Jacob Charles
Published: February 5, 2025 7:30 am ET
ROSE HILL, KS — Police say a Kansas couple killed their adopted daughter and buried her in their backyard, leaving her body there for over four years.
The Rose Hill Police Department announced 50-year-old Crystina Elizabeth Schroer and 53-year-old Joseph Shane Schroer were arrested as the result of an investigation into the death of their six-year-old adopted daughter.
Police said a call was made to dispatch on September 10, 2024, which began an investigation lasting several months. During this initial contact, officers discovered “the possibility of human remains having been buried in the backyard of 1406 North Meeker Court, Rose Hill, Kansas.”
In the early morning hours of September 11, a search warrant was secured for the property of this residence, and a search began. The ground was overgrown in the search area, so cadaver dogs were deployed. With no positive indications, a brush hog was brought in and knocked down the vegetation. Another deployment of the canines was completed with interest being shown to different areas in the backyard, but still with no positive indication.
A forensic dig began at one of the locations of interest and hours later, approximately 23 inches deep, the decomposed remains of a human child were found in a trash bag.
A postmortem was completed on September 12.
On September 27, DNA testing was completed and confirmed the identity of the decedent as Kennedy Schroer (adopted name)/Natalie Garcia (birth name).
As the investigation began, detectives assisted in the dig, neighborhood canvasing, initial interviews, and organizing information as it came in. As the investigation progressed, other agencies were brought in to assist, such as FBI, Wichita Satellite Office, FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU, Quantico), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Kansas Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Division, Department of Children and Families (DCF) investigation division, Exploited and Missing Children’s Unit (EMCU), and Civilian experts in the fields of trauma and abuse.
On November 20, 2024, the postmortem report was completed and found Kennedy/Natalie’s cause of death was probable suffocation, and her manner of death was homicide.
Police believe the child was killed in November 2020.
Investigators also allege the parents had been receiving Medicaid payments after the child’s death.
Crystina was charged with the following:
– Murder in the 1st degree
– Kidnapping, aggravated
– Child abuse, torture (x4)
– Theft, felony (value under $25,000)
– Forgery (x4)
– Medicaid fraud
– Desecration of a corpse
Joseph was charged with:
– Child abuse, torture (x4)
– Liability for crimes of another
– Interference with Law Enforcement
– Theft, felony (value under $25,000)
– Medicaid fraud
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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