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6-year-old girl found buried in the backyard of her home four years after her adoptive parents suffocated her to death; parents arrested

Kansas – In a disturbing case that shocked Kansas residents, a 53-year-old man, identified as Joseph S., and his 50-year-old wife, identified as Crystina S., have been arrested for the murder of their 6-year-old adopted daughter, identified as Kennedy S., whose body was found buried in the backyard of their home four years after they suffocated her to death. The discovery has led to a complex investigation involving multiple charges against the adoptive parents.

Crystina and her husband Joseph were taken into custody after police learned in September 2024 about the death of the young girl who had been missing from public view since 2020. The charges against Crystina are particularly severe, including murder, four counts of child abuse with torture, forgery, aggravated kidnapping, felony theft, Medicaid fraud, and desecration of a corpse. Her husband faces charges of child abuse with torture, felony theft, Medicaid fraud, interfering with law enforcement, and liability for the crimes of another.

The investigation began under unexpected circumstances on the evening of September 10, 2024, when police responded to a mental health crisis at the couple’s residence. It was during this visit that officers received a tip about a possible grave in their backyard. The following day, police with cadaver dogs arrived to search the overgrown yard, which required significant clearing before the dogs could work effectively. Hours into the forensic dig, investigators discovered the remains of a young girl, later identified as Kennedy, wrapped in a trash bag and buried in a shallow grave. DNA tests confirmed her identity. Born Natalie G. on July 14, 2014, she was adopted by Crystina and Joseph in November 2018 after her birth parents relinquished their rights to the state.

Police believe Kennedy was suffocated to death in late 2020, and her death was subsequently ruled a homicide. The investigation into her death required extensive collaboration with local, state, and federal agencies, including the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service. Authorities spent approximately 2,000 hours piecing together the events that led to Kennedy’s tragic death. Further complicating the case, it was revealed that the couple had continued to receive Medicaid payments for Kennedy after her death. In addition to Kennedy, Joseph and Crystina had three biological children and another adopted child, all of whom have been placed in state custody following the discovery of the body.

Both Crystina and Joseph are currently held in the county’s jail without bond, awaiting their court appearance. The case has deeply affected the community, with many unanswered questions about how the young girl’s death went unnoticed for years. Police Chief T. Parlier highlighted the complexity of building a case that spans over four years and the ongoing efforts to provide justice for Kennedy. “This case was built through the development of timelines spanning more than four years, which is the primary reason for the length of the investigation,” stated the police department in a release. The community and law enforcement hope that the upcoming trials will offer some closure to this heartbreaking case and shed further light on the circumstances that led to such a heinous act.

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