6-year-old Kansas girl's remains found in back yard of adoptive parents, police say

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By Asiya Ali

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A six-year-old girl's remains have been discovered in her adoptive family’s backyard.

Authorities identified the human remains found in the backyard of a Rose Hill home in Kansas on September 11.

According to the Rose Hill Police Department's press release, they belonged to Kennedy Jean Schroer, born on July 14, 2014.

The little girl was adopted by Crystina and Joe Schroer in November 2018. Police believe she died in November 2020, when she would have been six years old.

Kennedy’s body was so decomposed that the Sedgwick County Forensic Science Center could not determine her cause of death.

They later confirmed her identity through DNA analysis. There were no visible injuries, healing or healed, observed on her body.

“We understand that many in the public might be confused how an arrest in this case has not been made,” the department said. “That is completely understandable.

"What we would like to convey is that we have one chance to gather as much information as possible, to find out what happened to this child, and to tell her story. While we understand the desire to hold persons accountable, we need to get this correct and not fast," the police added.

Christa Helm, who claims to be Kennedy’s biological mother, said three of her children were in the custody of the Schroers.

The mom, who had named her daughter Natalie Garcia before the family changed her name to Kennedy, said she spoke with cops and then drove by the house where her daughter was buried. 

"It paralyzed me," Helm told KSN. "We were just driving down the street, and there it was, just the thoughts of everything had already been going through my mind but may have happened. What has happened? What’s happening now?"

Helm lost custody of her children in 2018 and figured they would have a chance at a better life with adoptive parents. “The state of Kansas has failed my kids, and I want them to get the proper therapy and love they need from their real family, where they belong,” she said.

She is now considering hiring a lawyer to get her other children back and is raising funds to give her daughter a proper funeral. 

Police have named Kennedy's adoptive parents in the news release, but neither of them nor anyone else has been arrested or charged.

Officials stated that they are actively working with detectives, and other area law enforcement agencies, social workers, and mental health professionals in the investigation.

“What we can assure anyone interested in this case, Kennedy is the center of our Universe and will remain so until we have answers,” officials concluded.

Featured image credit: Lightkey / Getty

6-year-old Kansas girl's remains found in back yard of adoptive parents, police say

vt-author-image

By Asiya Ali

Article saved!Article saved!

A six-year-old girl's remains have been discovered in her adoptive family’s backyard.

Authorities identified the human remains found in the backyard of a Rose Hill home in Kansas on September 11.

According to the Rose Hill Police Department's press release, they belonged to Kennedy Jean Schroer, born on July 14, 2014.

The little girl was adopted by Crystina and Joe Schroer in November 2018. Police believe she died in November 2020, when she would have been six years old.

Kennedy’s body was so decomposed that the Sedgwick County Forensic Science Center could not determine her cause of death.

They later confirmed her identity through DNA analysis. There were no visible injuries, healing or healed, observed on her body.

“We understand that many in the public might be confused how an arrest in this case has not been made,” the department said. “That is completely understandable.

"What we would like to convey is that we have one chance to gather as much information as possible, to find out what happened to this child, and to tell her story. While we understand the desire to hold persons accountable, we need to get this correct and not fast," the police added.

Christa Helm, who claims to be Kennedy’s biological mother, said three of her children were in the custody of the Schroers.

The mom, who had named her daughter Natalie Garcia before the family changed her name to Kennedy, said she spoke with cops and then drove by the house where her daughter was buried. 

"It paralyzed me," Helm told KSN. "We were just driving down the street, and there it was, just the thoughts of everything had already been going through my mind but may have happened. What has happened? What’s happening now?"

Helm lost custody of her children in 2018 and figured they would have a chance at a better life with adoptive parents. “The state of Kansas has failed my kids, and I want them to get the proper therapy and love they need from their real family, where they belong,” she said.

She is now considering hiring a lawyer to get her other children back and is raising funds to give her daughter a proper funeral. 

Police have named Kennedy's adoptive parents in the news release, but neither of them nor anyone else has been arrested or charged.

Officials stated that they are actively working with detectives, and other area law enforcement agencies, social workers, and mental health professionals in the investigation.

“What we can assure anyone interested in this case, Kennedy is the center of our Universe and will remain so until we have answers,” officials concluded.

Featured image credit: Lightkey / Getty