KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Kansas City woman facing murder charges in the death of a 3-year-old boy was sentenced Friday for an unrelated theft case at a Kansas Walmart.
Tara Ann Huerta, 40, received a one-year jail sentence in Leavenworth County court after pleading guilty to theft, according to Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson’s office.
Walmart Theft Case
Court records show that on April 12, 2024, Huerta stole merchandise worth less than $1,500 from a Leavenworth Walmart. Store employees reported her after she left without paying, and investigators later discovered she had switched barcodes on items to pay a lower price.
Murder and Drug Charges
Huerta also faces multiple charges connected to the March 26 death of E-lah Jahmal Brown Jr., a 3-year-old boy she was caring for at the time:
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First-degree murder
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Possession of Fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine
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Unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia
Police say officers responded to an apartment near Martin Luther King Drive and Limit Street after receiving reports of an unresponsive child. The boy was taken to the hospital but later died from his injuries.
During the investigation, authorities discovered illegal drugs and paraphernalia inside the apartment. An autopsy confirmed the child’s death was caused by acute Fentanyl toxicity, which matched substances found on-site, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation laboratory.
Second Arrest in the Case
At the time of the incident, Huerta and a 34-year-old Kansas City man were caring for the child. The man has since been arrested and faces pending charges, including:
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First-degree murder
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Aggravated child endangerment
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Possession of controlled substances
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Possession of illegal drug precursors and paraphernalia
Authorities have not released the man’s name because he has not been formally charged in Leavenworth County. He is currently being held in Clay County jail, while Huerta remains in Leavenworth County jail.
Next Court Date
Huerta’s next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 3, at 10 a.m. in Leavenworth County.
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Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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