A Marion father accused of strangling his 5-year-old son on Tuesday told police he had been up most of night “trying to decide” if and how to kill the child.
Matthew Gerald Schleier, 45, also told Marion investigators he had thoughts of killing his son, Jack, for the last week,” according to criminal complaint. He also admitted he had thoughts about using knives to kill his child, which police found as they collected evidence during the execution of a search warrant at the Schleiers’ home, 4105 Willowbrook Dr. in Marion.
Matthew Gerald Schleier
The evidence of knives indicated Schleier was premeditating his actions, the complaint noted.
Schleier, wearing a padded vest and appearing by video from the Linn County Jail, was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder during an initial appearance in Linn County District Court. Schleier showed no visible emotion, looking straight ahead, during his video appearance.
Sixth Judicial Associate District Judge Casey Jones asked if he had a private lawyer or did the court need to appoint one for him and Schleier said he would need a court-appointed lawyer.
Jones set his bail at $1 million cash-only, as requested by the Linn County Attorney’s Office.
Schleier is employed by United Fire Group as assistant vice president of Field Operations and Agency Resources. He was named regional manager of Cedar Rapids office in October of 2023, according to a UFG newsletter.
Police received a 911 call about 5:57 a.m. Tuesday for an unresponsive 5-year-old “who wasn’t breathing and was warm to the touch,” according to a criminal complaint. Marion Fire Department medics started life saving measures and then police officers assisted.
The paramedics asked the child’s mother, Victoria Schleier, a kindergartner teacher at St. Joseph’s in Marion, how she found her son, Jack Schleier, a preschooler, and the mother said, “His dad strangled him,” the complaint states.
An officer asked Matthew Schleier if his wife was correct and he confirmed he strangled Jack.
Police said Tuesday, in a news release, at the time of the “incident” in the home, two other adults and an additional child were present. None of them were physically harmed.
Chris McCarville, president of Xavier Catholic Schools, in a letter to the schools’ families, wrote, “It is with deep sadness that we share with you the news of the passing of St. Joseph preschool student, Jack Schleier, son of St. Joseph kindergarten teacher, Victoria Schleier. Jack's joyful spirit touched many in our community, and he will be greatly missed.”
“During this difficult time, we ask all XCS families to lift Jack's family in our prayers,” McCarville continued. “As a Catholic school community, we lean on our faith and each other. We ask that families please respect the privacy of Jack's family and not reach out directly at this time. Communication about specific ways to offer support will be shared with St. Joseph families in the near future.”
McCarville, in the letter, also noted Xavier and Grant Wood AEA counselors will be on-site at St. Joseph on Wednesday and in the weeks ahead to help the students deal with the loss.
After the initial appearance, Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks told The Gazette the initial investigation “revealed the defendant allegedly strangled his son until his son became non-responsive. Sadly, life-saving efforts failed and the child died.” He admitted to strangling his son and had thought about doing it before he acted, which warranted a charge of “premeditated murder.”
“This boy left behind a grieving mother and many other close family members,” Maybanks. “Our hearts go out to them after suffering this shocking and devastating loss. Nobody should ever have to endure the loss of a child. The pain has to be unimaginable. I would ask that their family be given privacy and respect while they deal with this tragedy.”
Maybanks also asked if anyone has potential information or evidence about the circumstances of this case to please contact the Marion Police Department. This case remains under investigation.
“We will do all in our power to obtain justice for this child,” Maybanks said.
www.thegazette.com
Matthew Gerald Schleier, 45, also told Marion investigators he had thoughts of killing his son, Jack, for the last week,” according to criminal complaint. He also admitted he had thoughts about using knives to kill his child, which police found as they collected evidence during the execution of a search warrant at the Schleiers’ home, 4105 Willowbrook Dr. in Marion.
The evidence of knives indicated Schleier was premeditating his actions, the complaint noted.
Schleier, wearing a padded vest and appearing by video from the Linn County Jail, was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder during an initial appearance in Linn County District Court. Schleier showed no visible emotion, looking straight ahead, during his video appearance.
Sixth Judicial Associate District Judge Casey Jones asked if he had a private lawyer or did the court need to appoint one for him and Schleier said he would need a court-appointed lawyer.
Jones set his bail at $1 million cash-only, as requested by the Linn County Attorney’s Office.
Schleier is employed by United Fire Group as assistant vice president of Field Operations and Agency Resources. He was named regional manager of Cedar Rapids office in October of 2023, according to a UFG newsletter.
Police received a 911 call about 5:57 a.m. Tuesday for an unresponsive 5-year-old “who wasn’t breathing and was warm to the touch,” according to a criminal complaint. Marion Fire Department medics started life saving measures and then police officers assisted.
The paramedics asked the child’s mother, Victoria Schleier, a kindergartner teacher at St. Joseph’s in Marion, how she found her son, Jack Schleier, a preschooler, and the mother said, “His dad strangled him,” the complaint states.
An officer asked Matthew Schleier if his wife was correct and he confirmed he strangled Jack.
Police said Tuesday, in a news release, at the time of the “incident” in the home, two other adults and an additional child were present. None of them were physically harmed.
Chris McCarville, president of Xavier Catholic Schools, in a letter to the schools’ families, wrote, “It is with deep sadness that we share with you the news of the passing of St. Joseph preschool student, Jack Schleier, son of St. Joseph kindergarten teacher, Victoria Schleier. Jack's joyful spirit touched many in our community, and he will be greatly missed.”
“During this difficult time, we ask all XCS families to lift Jack's family in our prayers,” McCarville continued. “As a Catholic school community, we lean on our faith and each other. We ask that families please respect the privacy of Jack's family and not reach out directly at this time. Communication about specific ways to offer support will be shared with St. Joseph families in the near future.”
McCarville, in the letter, also noted Xavier and Grant Wood AEA counselors will be on-site at St. Joseph on Wednesday and in the weeks ahead to help the students deal with the loss.
After the initial appearance, Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks told The Gazette the initial investigation “revealed the defendant allegedly strangled his son until his son became non-responsive. Sadly, life-saving efforts failed and the child died.” He admitted to strangling his son and had thought about doing it before he acted, which warranted a charge of “premeditated murder.”
“This boy left behind a grieving mother and many other close family members,” Maybanks. “Our hearts go out to them after suffering this shocking and devastating loss. Nobody should ever have to endure the loss of a child. The pain has to be unimaginable. I would ask that their family be given privacy and respect while they deal with this tragedy.”
Maybanks also asked if anyone has potential information or evidence about the circumstances of this case to please contact the Marion Police Department. This case remains under investigation.
“We will do all in our power to obtain justice for this child,” Maybanks said.
Marion father ‘premeditated’ how to kill his 5-year-old who he strangled, prosecutors say
A Marion father strangled to death his 5 year-old son after staying up most of the night contemplating how he would kill him. One way was using knives, which police found during a search of the home.
www.thegazette.com
