A 3-Week-Old Wisconsin Baby Died of Methamphetamine Toxicity, and His Parents Have Now Pleaded Not Guilty to Reckless Homicide

Two parents in western Wisconsin have pleaded not guilty in the death of their 3-week-old son, who an autopsy found died of methamphetamine toxicity. Jessie Kittelson, 23, and Taylor Olson, 26, entered the pleas on Nov. 5 in Pierce County Court to charges of first-degree reckless homicide and chronic neglect of a child with death as the consequence, both as party to a crime, WEAU reported.

The charges are allegations from a criminal complaint, and both parents are presumed innocent unless convicted. The case is still at an early stage, with the next hearings set for December and January.

What the Complaint Says Happened

According to the complaint as summarized by WEAU, a Pierce County sergeant was dispatched on March 14 to the Town of Trimbelle for a report that a 3-week-old was not breathing. CPR was performed, but Ellsworth paramedics determined nothing more could be done, WEAU reported when the charges were first filed in August.

The Pierce County Journal reported that the baby was born prematurely in February and that the Ramsey County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be methamphetamine toxicity. The Journal also reported that the complaint alleges both parents used methamphetamine during and after the pregnancy.

The Statements in the Complaint

The complaint says Kittelson told investigators she breastfed her son and used methamphetamine throughout her pregnancy, and that she smoked it three days before his death. She said she “pumped and dumped” her breast milk for 48 hours and fed the baby milk she had stored while she was clean, according to WEAU’s report on her first court appearance. The same report said she told investigators she was confused about how the baby was exposed and had searched online for how long methamphetamine stays in breast milk.

Olson, the baby’s father, admitted to investigators that he obtained the methamphetamine the couple used, the complaint says. Neither parent’s account has been tested in court.

Charges, Bond and the Dates Ahead

The Pierce County Journal listed the same two lead counts for each parent, along with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia, each as party to a crime. It reported that the defendants face a maximum of 60 years in prison if convicted.

A $10,000 cash bond was set for Kittelson at her September court appearance, according to WEAU. After the Nov. 5 pleas, Kittelson’s next hearing is a status conference on Dec. 18, and Olson’s is a status conference on Jan. 26, 2027.

The Pierce County Journal identified Kittelson as living in Ellsworth and Olson in River Falls. WEAU reported in September that Kittelson’s preliminary hearing was set for Sept. 8 and Olson’s initial appearance for Sept. 23. Those dates were scheduled ahead of the Nov. 5 pleas.

How Wisconsin Defines the Charge

Under Wisconsin law, as laid out in Section 940.02 of the state statutes, first-degree reckless homicide is a Class B felony. The statute covers recklessly causing another person’s death under circumstances showing “utter disregard for human life.” It also separately covers deaths caused by delivering certain controlled substances.

Prosecutors will have to prove the charges in court. Until then, the not guilty pleas stand as the parents’ formal response to the complaint.

Where Families Can Find Help

For parents and families dealing with substance use, the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration runs a National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). SAMHSA describes it as a free, confidential treatment referral and information service that is open every day of the year, around the clock, with support in English and Spanish.

The helpline refers callers to treatment and provides information for individuals and families. SAMHSA’s page does not describe services specific to pregnancy, so a parent who is pregnant or breastfeeding can also raise questions with an obstetrician, midwife or pediatrician.

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This article was produced with AI assistance and edited for accuracy against the sources linked above.

Image: Ellsheart – CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons