A three-week-old infant in Pierce County, Wisconsin, was found unresponsive on March 14 and later died; an autopsy attributed the death to methamphetamine toxicity. Parents Jessie Lee Kittelson and Taylor Jae Olson, both 23, have been charged with first-degree reckless homicide and chronic neglect resulting in death. Kittelson allegedly used meth during pregnancy and reportedly smoked meth three days before the infant’s death, claiming she "pumped and dumped" breast milk for 48 hours afterward. Both are due in Pierce County court on Sept. 2 and face up to 60 years if convicted.
Wisconsin Parents Charged After 3-Week-Old Dies From Methamphetamine Toxicity
Jessie Lee Kittelson's mug shotCredit: Pierce County Jail
A three-week-old infant in Pierce County, Wisconsin, was found unresponsive on March 14 and later died; an autopsy determined the cause of death to be methamphetamine toxicity. Authorities say the child's mother, Jessie Lee Kittelson, and father, Taylor Jae Olson, both 23, have been charged in connection with the infant's death.
What Investigators Say
Deputies were dispatched to the town of Trimbelle following a report that a child was not breathing. According to a criminal complaint, a responding sergeant found the newborn pale and bluish with a dark substance around the mouth and nose. The infant had no pulse and life-saving measures were unsuccessful.
Autopsy and Charges
An autopsy later concluded the infant died from methamphetamine toxicity. Both parents — Kittelson of Ellsworth and Olson of River Falls — were charged with first-degree reckless homicide and chronic neglect of a child resulting in death. If convicted, they face up to 60 years in prison.
Pierce County Sheriff's Department vehicleCredit: pierce county sheriff's department/facebook
Background Details
According to the complaint, Kittelson allegedly admitted to using methamphetamine throughout her pregnancy and said she smoked meth three days before the child's death. She reportedly told investigators she “pumped and dumped” her breast milk for 48 hours after using and that she had researched online how long meth remains in breast milk. Kittelson also said she planned to feed the baby milk she had previously stored from a time she believed she was clean.
Olson reportedly acknowledged that he obtained the drugs used by both him and Kittelson. The criminal complaint notes Kittelson said she was unsure exactly how the infant was exposed to meth.
Next Steps and Resources
Both parents are scheduled for an initial appearance in Pierce County court on Sept. 2. Local law enforcement and prosecutors are handling the case. The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
If you suspect child abuse, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or visit www.childhelp.org. Calls are toll-free, confidential and available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
Help us improve.
