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Published 11:36 13 May 2026 GMT
A Montana mother, who has been accused of killing her five-year-old son after allegedly suffocating him with a plastic bag, gave investigators a chilling four-word response after his murder.
Kathryn Garaas is facing charges in connection with the death of her son, Reign Tyler Blair, whose body was discovered inside their home near Whitehall, roughly 60 miles northwest of Bozeman.
Garaas reportedly believed she was trying to “save him because things would have only gotten so much worse.”
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to the residence on April 24 after reports of a medical emergency.
KRTV reported that the child’s father had requested a welfare check after receiving a disturbing message from Garaas.
When deputies arrived at the property, Garaas reportedly answered the door and chillingly told officers, “He’s in his room.”
Inside, authorities found the young boy with a plastic bag over his head, according to court documents. Deputies attempted lifesaving measures, but Reign was pronounced dead at the scene.
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Investigators say that during questioning, Garaas allegedly explained her actions by saying she wanted to “save him because things would have only gotten so much worse.”
In an interview with KRTV, Colleen Much, who organized a GoFundMe for the family, said Garaas had previously been separated from them. However, she had recently been staying with Reign and his father for several weeks before the incident occurred.
“I cannot and will absolutely not pretend to claim we have even a remote understanding of the reasoning behind this, or what occurred,” Much wrote on the fundraiser page. “We pray for answers that may never come, and when they do, no healing will come of it.”
She also described the deep bond between Reign and his father, writing: “Reign is his purpose, his love, and his life from the moment he took his first breath.” Much added that despite the tragedy, the child’s life had been filled with “love, laughter, and precious joy.”
Garaas is expected to be arraigned on a deliberate homicide charge on June 10. She remains in custody on a $5 million bond.
