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The adoptive parents of 6-year-old Kennedy Jean, whose remains were found buried behind their Rose Hill, Kansas home, have been formally charged in connection with her tragic death.
Shocking Discovery & Arrests
Authorities arrested Crystina and Joseph Schroer after law enforcement unearthed the child’s remains on September 11, 2024. The discovery followed a “person in distress” call that led police to search the backyard of their suburban home.
According to court documents, Kennedy Jean—whose birth name was Natalie—was adopted by the Schroers in 2019. She attended only one semester of kindergarten before her adoptive parents withdrew her for homeschooling. Authorities now believe she died between October 1 and December 15, 2020, and was buried in the backyard.
A forensic report confirmed that Kennedy died by suffocation, and her death has been ruled a homicide.
Charges Against Crystina & Joseph Schroer
During their initial court appearances on Wednesday, the adoptive parents faced multiple felony charges:
First-degree murder
Three counts of child abuse
Making false information
Medicaid fraud
Theft by deception
Failure to report the death of a child
Criminal desecration of a body
Joseph Schroer’s Charges
Two counts of aggravated child endangerment
Making false information
Medicaid fraud
Interference with law enforcement
Police Chief Taylor Parlier stated, “We believe that these are the only two that are responsible. At this time, we have no evidence that there should be anybody else that’s going to be charged.”
Court Proceedings & Bail Conditions
During their arraignments:
Joseph Schroer pleaded not guilty. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 18, and his bond was set at $10,000 with GPS monitoring.
Crystina Schroer had a not guilty plea entered on her behalf. Her preliminary hearing is set for March 12, and her bond was set at $250,000, with restrictions that include GPS monitoring and no contact with minors.
Outrageous
CAN WE PLEASE PROTECT OUR CHILDREN 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽