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Coralville Mother Faces Murder ChargesBy: Claire Kellett, Anchor/ReporterRelated Content
INDEPENDENCE - Authorities say a Coralville mother killed her two-year-old boy and hurt her seven-year-old son in rural Buchanan County. Sunday Michelle Kehoe and her boys, Seth and Sean, disappeared during a trip from Coralville to Sumner. On Monday, authorities found Seth dead and Michelle and Sean seriously hurt in a remote area near the Buchanan County town of Littleton.
Thursday, investigators said Michelle Kehoe admitted she used a knife to kill Seth and to hurt Sean. This all allegedly happened Sunday afternoon, many hours before the mother went for help. Authorities have issued warrants for Michelle's arrest on charges of first degree murder, attempted murder, and child endangerment resulting in serious injury. All of the information KCRG has learned is from criminal complaints. They state Michelle couldn't explain to investigators why she did this. They also say she told them she wants to die or be locked up so she won't hurt anyone else. In a criminal complaint, Michelle Kehoe and her seven-year-old son, Sean, explain what happened early Sunday afternoon in a dense wooded area near Littleton in rural Buchanan County. Investigators say Sean told them his mother duck taped his eyes, nose, and mouth before taking him out of the family's mini van and cutting his neck with a knife. He tells investigators his mother then hurt his two-year-old brother Seth, who died at the scene of sharp force injuries to the neck. Michelle reportedly tells authorities she also duct taped Seth's eyes, mouth, and wrists. But investigators still don't know why all that allegedly happened in the secluded area. "We're not really sure why that location was picked, whether the defendant had some prior history or knowledge quite possibly," says Buchanan County Attorney Allan Vander Hart. The criminal complaint also reveals Michelle tells investigators she bought the duct tape two months ago and purchased the knife last month. She says she revised an abduction note she wrote last month involving her and her two sons. Authorities found that hand-written note inside the van. Vander Hart says every authority involved in the criminal investigation extends their condolences to the Kehoe family. "A prayer that the lord will bind their wounds, heal their broken hearts in the face of this terrible tragedy that has fallen on their family," says Vander Hart. Vander Hart also says not to forget the charges are accusations and Michelle will have her day in court. Authorities have yet to arrest Michelle because she is still be treated for her supposed self-inflicted injuries at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, but we are told she is under security. The criminal complaints state Michelle says everything happened in five minutes around 1:30 Sunday afternoon, but authorities will not talk about what happened between that time and early Monday morning when Michelle went to a nearby house and that homeowner called authorities. More Good Stuff |
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