Barbaric daycare worker 'suffocated babies until they turned purple and foamed at the mouth'... but was only arrested when one died

Horrifying details have emerged about a Minnesota daycare worker who allegedly admitted to suffocating two babies because 'she wanted attention.'

Theah Loudemia Russell, 18, was arrested Tuesday following a three-month investigation into injuries suffered by two kids while in her care at the Rocking Horse Ranch childcare facility, per authorities.

Russell allegedly suffocated a four-month-old twice until she 'foamed at the mouth,' and suffocated 11-month-old Harvey Muklebust to death just five days before his first birthday, according to his obituary.

Savage Police Chief Brady Juell said in a press conference Wednesday that Russell was employed by the center for only three weeks. 

'On September 19, [the four-month-old] was found with blood and foam under her nose and mouth,' Juell explained.

The 18-year-old claimed the infant began vomiting and turned 'white purple' while she was burping her, according to documents obtained by KTSP.

She recovered from the first incident, but the following Monday, the infant was discovered unresponsive and not breathing, with blood surrounding her nose and mouth.

A Minnesota daycare worker allegedly admitted to attempting to suffocate two children because she wanted attention, which prosecutors say resulted in the death of 11-month-old Harvey Muklebust (pictured) 

Muklebust's death prompted a three-month investigation into a worker at Rocking Horse Ranch - a childcare facility - where two children had suffered medical complications 

Theah Loudemia Russell, 18, of Savage, was booked into Scott County Jail on second-degree murder and felony assault charges in the first and third degrees

Russell claimed the four-month-old dozed off on her stomach, but she started 'crying' and 'nothing was coming out,' according to the outlet.

The infant recovered after the two harrowing injuries, but the third fatal incident involved Muklebust.

The daycare worker allegedly told investigators that Muklebust was given melatonin by his parents to help him sleep because of his constipation, per KTSP. 

After putting him to sleep, Russell 'spontaneously' asked another employee to check on the 11-month-old because she heard him cry, that employee found him 'unresponsive with a blood-like substance pooled on his mattress,' per KTSP.

According to a criminal complaint obtained by KARE 11 News, Russell was allegedly found carrying Muklebust in her arms when authorities got to the daycare, and the infant was described as 'blue.'

The 11-month-old tragically died in the hospital, and the daycare was shut down following his death. 

The 18-year-old suspect allegedly confessed to the crimes in an 'attention-seeking act' and provided them with details on how she carried out the acts. 

'I want to be perfectly clear, however, Theah Russell has confessed to the attempted murder of our first victim on two occasions and to the murder of Harvey Muklebust,' Juell added in the conference. 

The daycare worker allegedly told investigators that Muklebust was given melatonin by his parents to help him sleep because of his constipation 

Savage Police Chief Brady Juell speaking about the tragic investigation in a press conference Wednesday

Harvey and his older brother Declan, playing together on the slide

Some attention-seeking incidents involved Russell calling 911 over 'nonsensical' matters, starting fires at church camp and showing 'erratic behavior' toward other children , according to policr

A GoFundMe page raising funds for Muklebust’s funeral remembered the baby boy as 'pure happiness and sunshine from the moment he was born'

'Russell was a common denominator in each of these incidents,' said Juell. 'She had last contact with each of the affected children.'

Juell said the daycare worker's behavior at the scene 'immediately raised suspicion,' causing investigators to view her as the primary person of interest. 

Law enforcement began an 'in-depth' review of Russell's background - including interviews with friends, family and previous employers - which they said revealed 'a documented history of attention-seeking behavior.'

Police said they discovered other horrifying past actions that Russell was involved in, including starting fires at church camp and erratic behavior towards other children. 

Documents obtained by KTSP show that Russell is facing charges of second-degree murder and assault in the first and second degrees.

She will appear in court on February 4. 

A GoFundMe pageraising funds for Muklebust’s funeral remembered the baby boy as 'pure happiness and sunshine from the moment he was born.'

'He could light up an entire room with his contagious smile and filled everyone’s hearts with joy when he giggled,' it added.