by Kansas City, KS – A tragic case from Rose Hill, Kansas, has ended with a severe sentence for Crystina Elizabeth Schroer, a mother who was convicted for the suffocation and subsequent burial of her adopted 6-year-old daughter, Kennedy Schroer. In a case that shocked the community, Crystina was sentenced to more than 17 years in prison after pleading no contest to second-degree murder, highlighting the darkest aspects of child abuse and neglect.
Kennedy’s death, which occurred in late 2020, remained hidden beneath the surface until 2024, when an attempted suicide by Crystina brought police to their door and launched a deep investigation that uncovered the grim truth.
The Horrific Discovery and Investigation
The case unraveled after Crystina Schroer’s suicide attempt in September 2024 prompted police to investigate her home in Rose Hill, a town southeast of Wichita with a population of around 4,000. Upon investigating, officers found Kennedy’s remains buried in a two-foot-deep grave at the family’s residence.
Key facts from the case include:
- Kennedy Schroer was born Natalie Garcia on July 14, 2014, and was adopted by the Schroers in November 2018, at which point her name was changed.
- The child was suffocated in a storage box where she was forced to remain during nighttime disturbances.
- Despite initial charges of first-degree murder, Crystina pled no contest to second-degree murder, child abuse, making false statements, and welfare fraud.
- The body was discovered after extensive forensic searches, with cadaver dogs and vegetation clearing assisting investigators in uncovering the grave.
“She was a beautiful child, with an infectious smile,” said Rose Hill police following the recovery of Kennedy’s body.
Testimonies Reveal Abuse and Cruelty
Police reports and interviews revealed heart-wrenching details, including testimony from one of Kennedy’s siblings. The sibling described how their mother would force the children into a storage container box if they moved during the night. On the night of Kennedy’s death, the mother reportedly placed blankets and a crib on top of the box where Kennedy was suffocating.
“[The sister] believed her mom heard that and came back into the room, asking ‘is she still making noises?'” the arrest affidavit detailed.
Crystina admitted to driving with the girl’s lifeless body before eventually burying her in the backyard, telling investigators that one of the children had placed Kennedy in the box. However, the testimony from the children and the forensic evidence strongly indicated otherwise.
Legal Proceedings and Family Impact
Alongside Crystina, her husband Joseph Schroer faces sentencing in December on child endangerment charges. The Schroers had three biological children and two adopted kids in addition to Kennedy. Following the discovery, all surviving children have been placed in state custody for their safety.
Authorities revealed that the family had continued receiving approximately $23,000 in Medicaid payments after Kennedy’s death, classifying this as welfare fraud.
“This case was built through the development of timelines spanning more than four years,” investigators noted, describing the extensive work involving local, state, and federal agencies including the FBI and IRS.
Looking Ahead
The sentencing of Crystina Schroer serves as a grim reminder of the importance of vigilance and intervention in cases of child abuse. It also highlights the necessity for strong cooperation among law enforcement agencies to uncover prolonged and hidden abuse. For more comprehensive details, visit the full report at Law&Crime.
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