Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Neenah woman faces homicide charge for suffocating toddler
OSHKOSH, Wis. — A part-time worker with Winnebago County’s Child Welfare Division has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the death of her son.
Authorities say 27-year-old Brenda Thiel of Neenah suffocated the 2-year-old boy. They say she told investigators that she heard voices telling her to do it.
Court records say Thiel told police that afterward, “she told Caleb she was sorry, kissed him and told him she loved him.”
Police have said Thiel is being held in a secure facility but not in jail. She has told authorities she is on prescription medication and recently attempted suicide.
Social workers have placed her 7-year-old daughter with another family.
Milwaukee prosecutors are handling Thiel’s case to avoid a possible conflict of interest.
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