WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH/Gray News) - A couple was arrested and charged after the remains of their 6-year-old adopted daughter were found in their backyard.
Investigators believe Kennedy Jean Schroer, whose birth name was Natalie Garcia, died in November 2020, when she was 6 years old. Her body was discovered in the backyard of her home in September.
Kennedy had been under the care of Crystina and Joseph Schroer since 2018.
According to authorities, they received a call on Sept. 10. During the initial contact, officers discovered the possibility of human remains in the backyard of their home.
On Sept. 11, officers secured a search warrant on the property. During the search, a child’s remains were found in a trash bag.
On Sept. 27, DNA testing confirmed the identity of the remains were Kennedy.
Kennedy’s cause of death was probably suffocation and her manner of death was homicide, according to police.
Crystina Schroeder, 50, is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, four counts of child abuse (torture), felony theft, four counts of forgery, Medicaid fraud and desecration of a corpse.
Joseph Schroer, 53, is booked on four counts of child abuse (torture), liability for crimes of another, interference with law enforcement, felony theft and Medicaid fraud.
Investigators believe Kennedy Jean Schroer, whose birth name was Natalie Garcia, died in November 2020, when she was 6 years old. Her body was discovered in the backyard of her home in September.
Kennedy had been under the care of Crystina and Joseph Schroer since 2018.
According to authorities, they received a call on Sept. 10. During the initial contact, officers discovered the possibility of human remains in the backyard of their home.
On Sept. 11, officers secured a search warrant on the property. During the search, a child’s remains were found in a trash bag.
On Sept. 27, DNA testing confirmed the identity of the remains were Kennedy.
Kennedy’s cause of death was probably suffocation and her manner of death was homicide, according to police.
Crystina Schroeder, 50, is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, four counts of child abuse (torture), felony theft, four counts of forgery, Medicaid fraud and desecration of a corpse.
Joseph Schroer, 53, is booked on four counts of child abuse (torture), liability for crimes of another, interference with law enforcement, felony theft and Medicaid fraud.
