KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Two of Olivia Jansen’s family members have been charged in connection with the death of the 3-year-old boy.
Howard Jansen III, 29, Olivia’s father, and Jacqulyn Kirkpatrick, 33, Olivia’s stepmother, face charges of first-degree murder, compounding the danger of a child and criminal desecration.
Jansen and Kirkpatrick are currently in the Wyandotte County Detention Center on a $ 500,000 cash bond.
Olivia was reported missing Friday morning, and what is believed to be her remains were found hours later in a wooded area in Kansas City, Kansas.
Jansen and Kirkpatrick had been on hold for 48 hours at the Wyandotte County Detention Center, who faces potential charges of first-degree murder and child abuse.
Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree said during a press conference Sunday that the response from the community and the police contributed to finding Olivia’s body and bringing the charges quickly.
“This is a very difficult time and there is nothing I can say to ease the pain of what is going on,” Dupree said. “There is nothing we can conjure to take away the feeling you feel. You can do everything right and still something so bad and so bad happens.”
The Kansas Department of Children and Families released a statement Sunday by DCF Secretary Laura Howard about Olivia’s death.
“My heart aches for Olivia, her family and the Kansas City community,” Howard said in the statement. “The death of a child is a tragedy. I know there is great community interest in this case, and I understand the desire for more information. “
Howard also said that DCF has a “comprehensive critical incident review process to quickly identify any agency or contractor policy or procedural issue that needs to be addressed.” DCF, according to Howard, is working with law enforcement and will provide additional information “in accordance with state law.”
“My focus for the past 18 months has been to create a robust child welfare system that protects children and supports families,” said Howard. “Olivia’s death reinforces my commitment and that of my agency to continue this vital work.”
The FBI, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Kansas City, Kansas police department collaborated in the investigation. The investigation is ongoing, and Dupree said there is no evidence to indicate that others were involved.
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