Michigan Mom Calls in false bomb threats to Daughter's School Over Play | Crime Alert Recap Saturday
January 17, 2026 • 9 mins
Breaking crime news as it happens throughout the day! Follow "Crime Alert Hourly Update" now on your favorite podcast app: https://link.chtbl.com/Crime_Alert
Here's some of our top stories this week:
An 18-year-old daycare worker who was supposed to care for kids, instead hurt & killed them...all to "play the hero" in a twisted plot to get "attention."
A couple pulls into a driveway to turn around and are confronted at gunpoint. Now, a wife is grieving her husband's death, and the homeowner is behind bars.
A Milwaukee jury convicts a father of child neglect after prosecutors say he locked his six children inside a storage unit while he slept in a nearby truck.
Stay informed, stay safe, and stay ahead with "Crime Alert Hourly Update.”
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Crime Alart hourly update, Breaking crime news Now.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
I'm Jackie Howard. Jail time and probation. That's what's ahead
for a Michigan mom. Crystal Royster forty two twice called
in false bomb threats to her daughter's Detroit school after
the girl wasn't allowed to take part in a school play.
Authorities say the daughter could not participate due to school
policy after being sick and going home earlier that day.
(00:27):
Over seven hundred people had to be evacuated from Lake
Shore High School as Saint Clair Shore's police and other
jurisdictions rolled in to respond. Charges of a false report
or threat of a bomb is a four year felony,
and Royster pleaded guilty. She will serve probation for eighteen
months after spending fourteen days in the Makeham County Jail.
(00:49):
As part of her probation, Royster is not allowed to
contact the victims of the incident and must notify the
school before heading onto the grounds. She also has to
take part in a Class eight Impulse control classes, War,
crime and justice news after this.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
I'm Jennifer Gould, a teenage daycare worker entrusted with the
lives of helpless infants. Transformed a Minnesota nursery into a
personal death trap, intentionally suffocating babies just to satisfy a
sick craving for attention. THEA Ludimia Russell, eighteen, was hauled
(01:32):
off to jail after delivering a bone chilling confession to cops.
She spent weeks smothering children until they turned quote unquote
white purple and sprayed blood tinged foam from their mouths. Also,
she could play hero when paramedics arrived. Here's Savage Police
(01:52):
Chief Brady Jewel at the news conference.
Speaker 4 (01:55):
This murder, an attempted murder of another child, deeply affected
our community. This person should never ever again be free
to harm another child.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
The three month investigation into the Rocking Horse Ranch childcare
in Savage, Minnesota revealed that Russell's twisted bid for sympathy
ended in the senseless murder of eleven month old Harvey Mucklebust,
who was slaughtered just five days before he was set
to celebrate his first birthday. The nightmare began on September nineteenth,
(02:33):
twenty twenty five, when Russell allegedly targeted a four month
old girl twice in a single shift during a routine
burping session. The teen reportedly smothered the infant until the
baby vomited a quote blood like substance end quote, and
stopped breathing. Russell dialed nine to one pint one, feeding
(02:55):
off the emergency she had just manufactured. Hours later, she
did it again to the same child, but her bloodlust
wasn't sated. On September twenty second, she cornered little Harvey
in the infant room. She crushed that boy's chest and
covered his face until he was unresponsive, with blood pooling
(03:18):
around his little nose. Staff performed CPR, but Harvey was
pronounced dead at the hospital, his tiny body unable to
survive Russell's depraved quest for validation. An autopsy ruled out
trauma or toxins, pointing investigators towards foul play. Chief Jewel
(03:39):
branded the teen quote the common denominator in the carnage
end quote, uncovering a dark history of false nine to
one one calls and fire setting at a church camp
classic markers, they say, of Munchausen syndrome by proxy. It
is the ultimate fake tragedy sickness where a care giver
(04:00):
intentionally injures mutilates our smother's a victim, just to soak
up pity and play the hero in a crisis they
secretly sparked. Prosecutors confirmed Russell Face's second degree murder for
Harvey's death and attempted murder charges for that little girl.
She remains held in Scott County Jail. The daycare's license
(04:24):
was suspended immediately after Harvey's death, and it closed permanently
amid the.
Speaker 5 (04:30):
Pro I'm the co parton the Grieving Widow is sharing
her experience after her husband was tragically shot and killed
when they mistakenly entered a stranger's driveway. Sheila Booker recounted,
if the police hadn't got there when they did, I
would probably be dead too.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Take a listen.
Speaker 5 (04:51):
He pulled a gun up in my face. And this
when my husband get out. When my husband get out
trying to protect me, don't you, And that's when you
shot us, right in front of him.
Speaker 6 (05:06):
The police, they came so fast. If you want for them,
I think I have me did so?
Speaker 4 (05:13):
Did they say?
Speaker 5 (05:13):
My life? The circumstances surrounding the investigation are evident On
the windshield of Booker's Chevy Spark. She witnessed the chilling
murder of her husband, Rodriguez Poplar, on Friday morning. Booker
explained that as they noticed flashing lights ahead an officer
in the area on North Trevison Street, her husband suggested
they pull into the driveway of a home and turn around,
(05:36):
as their headlight was broken and they were afraid of
being ticketed. However, when they did so, the homeowner emerged
from the house, brandishing a firearm and demanding they'd leave immediately.
She said in party pointed the gun at me, My
husband got out to protect me, and that's when he
shot my husband right in front of my eyes. The police,
(05:56):
whom Booker hoped to evade, arrived within moments to make
and arrest. The officers found the suspect, Tommy Applewhite, still
in possession of the firearm he had used in the crime.
Apple White is now facing multiple charges, including second degree murder.
A review of court records revealed that apple White has
a lengthy criminal history in Shelby County, Tennessee, dating back
(06:19):
to two thousand and one. His most serious offense occurred
in two thousand and seven, when he shot a man twice.
Apple White ultimately pleaded guilty to attempted murder and was
sentenced to just three years in prison. Further court documents
indicate a series of other illegal issues related to drug
and firearm charges. At the time of the twenty twenty
(06:39):
six shooting, Apple White was reportedly on active probation after
pleading guilty to a gun violation in twenty two This
according to records from the Tennessee Department of Corrections. For now,
the woman is planning the funeral service of her husband
and father of her children. The suspect remains behind bars.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
I'm drew nell. A Milwaukee jury convicts a father of
child neglect after prosecutors say he locked his six children
inside a storage unit while he slept in a truck nearby.
The verdict came late Wednesday, after jurors deliberated for less
than ninety minutes. They found Charles du Priest guilty of
neglecting a child. Following a trial in Milwaukee County Circuit Court.
(07:21):
Do Priest took the stand in his own defense and
told jurors he and his partner were struggling with homelessness
and they were relying on shelters and relatives. He described
feeling overwhelmed and unable to provide.
Speaker 6 (07:33):
As a person. I felt slightly inadequate. I was hurt,
but at the same time I needed the.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
Help to Priests testified that on the night of September fifteenth,
the family went to a storage facility.
Speaker 6 (07:47):
We arrived at the storage on it, Asia goes in
with the children and fifteen minutes later I fall asleep.
Next thing that I can remember is being woken up
to the police lieu on my window.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
Prosecutors showed juror's body camera video from the moment police
cut the lock and open the unit. Inside, six children,
ranging an age from nine to just two months old,
were found alone in the dark. Prosecutors said the children
had no electricity, no running water, and used a bucket
to do things that one would normally do in the bathroom.
(08:21):
They argued the parents had no other options that night.
Assistant District Attorney Thomas Hassel told the jury the case
was not about financial hardship.
Speaker 4 (08:31):
These charges are not at out poverty, arabel responsibility, and
the events shows that these children did not have to
be locked inside that storage ing that night.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
Two Priests remains in custody and is scheduled to be
sentenced in April. Zelenski pleaded guilty last week. To misdemeanor
counts of child neglect as part of a plea deal
for felony counts against her were dropped and she is
set to be sentenced in March. For the latest crime
and justice needs followed, crime alert early update on your
favorite podcast app with this crime a large. I'm Drew Nelson.
Crime Alart hourly update, Breaking crime news Now.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
I'm Jackie Howard. Jail time and probation. That's what's ahead
for a Michigan mom. Crystal Royster forty two twice called
in false bomb threats to her daughter's Detroit school after
the girl wasn't allowed to take part in a school play.
Authorities say the daughter could not participate due to school
policy after being sick and going home earlier that day.
(00:27):
Over seven hundred people had to be evacuated from Lake
Shore High School as Saint Clair Shore's police and other
jurisdictions rolled in to respond. Charges of a false report
or threat of a bomb is a four year felony,
and Royster pleaded guilty. She will serve probation for eighteen
months after spending fourteen days in the Makeham County Jail.
(00:49):
As part of her probation, Royster is not allowed to
contact the victims of the incident and must notify the
school before heading onto the grounds. She also has to
take part in a Class eight Impulse control classes, War,
crime and justice news after this.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
I'm Jennifer Gould, a teenage daycare worker entrusted with the
lives of helpless infants. Transformed a Minnesota nursery into a
personal death trap, intentionally suffocating babies just to satisfy a
sick craving for attention. THEA Ludimia Russell, eighteen, was hauled
(01:32):
off to jail after delivering a bone chilling confession to cops.
She spent weeks smothering children until they turned quote unquote
white purple and sprayed blood tinged foam from their mouths. Also,
she could play hero when paramedics arrived. Here's Savage Police
(01:52):
Chief Brady Jewel at the news conference.
Speaker 4 (01:55):
This murder, an attempted murder of another child, deeply affected
our community. This person should never ever again be free
to harm another child.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
The three month investigation into the Rocking Horse Ranch childcare
in Savage, Minnesota revealed that Russell's twisted bid for sympathy
ended in the senseless murder of eleven month old Harvey Mucklebust,
who was slaughtered just five days before he was set
to celebrate his first birthday. The nightmare began on September nineteenth,
(02:33):
twenty twenty five, when Russell allegedly targeted a four month
old girl twice in a single shift during a routine
burping session. The teen reportedly smothered the infant until the
baby vomited a quote blood like substance end quote, and
stopped breathing. Russell dialed nine to one pint one, feeding
(02:55):
off the emergency she had just manufactured. Hours later, she
did it again to the same child, but her bloodlust
wasn't sated. On September twenty second, she cornered little Harvey
in the infant room. She crushed that boy's chest and
covered his face until he was unresponsive, with blood pooling
(03:18):
around his little nose. Staff performed CPR, but Harvey was
pronounced dead at the hospital, his tiny body unable to
survive Russell's depraved quest for validation. An autopsy ruled out
trauma or toxins, pointing investigators towards foul play. Chief Jewel
(03:39):
branded the teen quote the common denominator in the carnage
end quote, uncovering a dark history of false nine to
one one calls and fire setting at a church camp
classic markers, they say, of Munchausen syndrome by proxy. It
is the ultimate fake tragedy sickness where a care giver
(04:00):
intentionally injures mutilates our smother's a victim, just to soak
up pity and play the hero in a crisis they
secretly sparked. Prosecutors confirmed Russell Face's second degree murder for
Harvey's death and attempted murder charges for that little girl.
She remains held in Scott County Jail. The daycare's license
(04:24):
was suspended immediately after Harvey's death, and it closed permanently
amid the.
Speaker 5 (04:30):
Pro I'm the co parton the Grieving Widow is sharing
her experience after her husband was tragically shot and killed
when they mistakenly entered a stranger's driveway. Sheila Booker recounted,
if the police hadn't got there when they did, I
would probably be dead too.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Take a listen.
Speaker 5 (04:51):
He pulled a gun up in my face. And this
when my husband get out. When my husband get out
trying to protect me, don't you, And that's when you
shot us, right in front of him.
Speaker 6 (05:06):
The police, they came so fast. If you want for them,
I think I have me did so?
Speaker 4 (05:13):
Did they say?
Speaker 5 (05:13):
My life? The circumstances surrounding the investigation are evident On
the windshield of Booker's Chevy Spark. She witnessed the chilling
murder of her husband, Rodriguez Poplar, on Friday morning. Booker
explained that as they noticed flashing lights ahead an officer
in the area on North Trevison Street, her husband suggested
they pull into the driveway of a home and turn around,
(05:36):
as their headlight was broken and they were afraid of
being ticketed. However, when they did so, the homeowner emerged
from the house, brandishing a firearm and demanding they'd leave immediately.
She said in party pointed the gun at me, My
husband got out to protect me, and that's when he
shot my husband right in front of my eyes. The police,
(05:56):
whom Booker hoped to evade, arrived within moments to make
and arrest. The officers found the suspect, Tommy Applewhite, still
in possession of the firearm he had used in the crime.
Apple White is now facing multiple charges, including second degree murder.
A review of court records revealed that apple White has
a lengthy criminal history in Shelby County, Tennessee, dating back
(06:19):
to two thousand and one. His most serious offense occurred
in two thousand and seven, when he shot a man twice.
Apple White ultimately pleaded guilty to attempted murder and was
sentenced to just three years in prison. Further court documents
indicate a series of other illegal issues related to drug
and firearm charges. At the time of the twenty twenty
(06:39):
six shooting, Apple White was reportedly on active probation after
pleading guilty to a gun violation in twenty two This
according to records from the Tennessee Department of Corrections. For now,
the woman is planning the funeral service of her husband
and father of her children. The suspect remains behind bars.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
I'm drew nell. A Milwaukee jury convicts a father of
child neglect after prosecutors say he locked his six children
inside a storage unit while he slept in a truck nearby.
The verdict came late Wednesday, after jurors deliberated for less
than ninety minutes. They found Charles du Priest guilty of
neglecting a child. Following a trial in Milwaukee County Circuit Court.
(07:21):
Do Priest took the stand in his own defense and
told jurors he and his partner were struggling with homelessness
and they were relying on shelters and relatives. He described
feeling overwhelmed and unable to provide.
Speaker 6 (07:33):
As a person. I felt slightly inadequate. I was hurt,
but at the same time I needed the.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
Help to Priests testified that on the night of September fifteenth,
the family went to a storage facility.
Speaker 6 (07:47):
We arrived at the storage on it, Asia goes in
with the children and fifteen minutes later I fall asleep.
Next thing that I can remember is being woken up
to the police lieu on my window.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
Prosecutors showed juror's body camera video from the moment police
cut the lock and open the unit. Inside, six children,
ranging an age from nine to just two months old,
were found alone in the dark. Prosecutors said the children
had no electricity, no running water, and used a bucket
to do things that one would normally do in the bathroom.
(08:21):
They argued the parents had no other options that night.
Assistant District Attorney Thomas Hassel told the jury the case
was not about financial hardship.
Speaker 4 (08:31):
These charges are not at out poverty, arabel responsibility, and
the events shows that these children did not have to
be locked inside that storage ing that night.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
Two Priests remains in custody and is scheduled to be
sentenced in April. Zelenski pleaded guilty last week. To misdemeanor
counts of child neglect as part of a plea deal
for felony counts against her were dropped and she is
set to be sentenced in March. For the latest crime
and justice needs followed, crime alert early update on your
favorite podcast app with this crime a large. I'm Drew Nelson.
Host
Nancy Grace
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