Court documents related to the arrest of 23-Year-old Sara Krueger and boyfriend 26-year-old Ryan Scott Warner for the death of Krueger's 3-year-old daughter Kayleigh Slusher indicate the toddler may have been dead for days before police searched Krueger's apartment on Saturday.
Kayleigh's body was found on a bed in Kreuger's apartment when Napa police responded to an anonymous tip for a welfare check at the residence Saturday morning. According to documents filed Tuesday, the child is believe to have died sometime around last Thursday. In the intervening days, the couple is believed to have put the girl's body in a suitcase before storing it in a freezer. The documents also confirm earlier reports that the toddler was beaten to death.
Krueger and Warner, who both had prior drug offenses, were arrested at the El Cerrito Del Norte BART Station on Sunday morning carrying suitcases and looking like they were headed out of town. In court yesterday, the Napa County District Attorney charged both with murder and assault on a child causing death. Both counts carry sentences of 25 years to life. Although earlier reports indicated Kayleigh may have also been the victim of sexual assault, none of the charges filed yesterday pertain to sexual abuse.
According to the Napa County Register, neither Krueger nor Warner entered a plea. Both are in custody in the Napa County jail with no bail. They are due back in court on February 25th.
Previously: Grandfather Of Kayleigh Slusher Speaks Out About Her Death
Napa Mom And Boyfriend Arrested For Death And Sexual Assault Of 3-Year-Old
[Napa Register]
[NBC Bay Area]