Rose Hill, Kansas – A Kansas man who admitted he failed to protect his children but insisted he did not know his wife had murdered their 6-year-old adopted daughter has avoided prison time, drawing outrage from the victim’s family and renewed scrutiny from prosecutors.
Joseph Schroer, 53, received a 60-day jail term and four years of probation after entering a no-contest plea to two counts of aggravated child endangerment and one count of Medicaid fraud. The sentencing comes one month after his wife, Crystina Elizabeth Schroer, 50, was ordered to serve more than 17 years in prison for killing 6-year-old Kennedy Schroer, whose body was unearthed in a shallow backyard grave in September 2024.
Kennedy, born Natalie Garcia in 2014, was adopted by the Schroers in 2018. Her death remained hidden for nearly four years.
What Investigators Say Happened Inside the Schroer Home
The case was uncovered in September 2024 when Rose Hill police responded to the Schroer home after Crystina attempted suicide. During the response, she told officers that “her life was over” and began describing Kennedy’s death, eventually leading detectives to the backyard.
According to investigators, Crystina forced the children to sleep without moving. If they did, they were punished by being locked inside a storage container. Kennedy was allegedly forced into one of these boxes in late 2020 and never came out alive.
A surviving child told detectives she was ordered to listen for any noises from Kennedy.
“Is she still making noises?” Crystina asked, according to the affidavit.
When Kennedy fell silent, her mother allegedly discovered her inside the box, unresponsive and turning blue. Instead of seeking help, she drove around with the body, then dug a 23-inch backyard grave, placed Kennedy inside a trash bag, and buried her. She later told relatives that the state had removed the child due to behavioral issues.
Prosecutors Detail “Torture” of Another Child
While Joseph Schroer denies knowing that Kennedy was dead or buried behind the home, prosecutors emphasized he is far from innocent.
Butler County Attorney Darrin Devinney described his conduct as “inexcusable,” highlighting his role in the abuse of another child, who was only 7 years old when she was locked in a basement and deprived of food.
“He may not have even known one of his children had been killed by his wife and buried outside, but we do know he actively participated in the continued torture of other children,” Devinney said.
Joseph and Crystina also continued receiving more than $23,000 in Medicaid payments, claiming to care for Kennedy long after she had died.
Family: “They Are Both Guilty”
Kennedy’s biological relatives spoke during Joseph’s sentencing. Her birth mother, Christa Helm, said Joseph deserved the same punishment as Crystina.
“I feel that they are both as guilty as each other,” Helm said. “There was no reason for her life to be taken. She was sweet, she was beautiful, and the things that were done to her were inhumane.”
Joseph told the court he was sorry and admitted he had failed his children. His apology drew a sharp reaction from Chief Judge David E. Ricke.
“If they didn’t do anything wrong, Mr. Schroer, why were they so severely disciplined?” the judge asked.
How Investigators Found Kennedy’s Body
After Crystina’s confession, police launched a large-scale search of the backyard. The vegetation was so thick that officers used a bush-whacker to clear access for cadaver dogs.
Several hours into the forensic dig, dogs alerted to a location near the rear of the property. Detectives uncovered a two-foot-deep makeshift grave containing a child’s remains wrapped in a trash bag. DNA testing confirmed the body was Kennedy.
Police say the case required over 2,000 investigative hours, involving local, state, and federal partners, including the FBI and IRS, due to the Medicaid fraud component and the multi-year timeline.
Adoption, Deception, and a Hidden Death
Kennedy was born in 2014; her biological parents relinquished their rights, and she was placed up for adoption. The Schroers adopted her in 2018, changed her name, and received state support for her care.
Police say Crystina concealed Kennedy’s death from her husband, relatives, medical providers, and state agencies, maintaining the lie for years.
Authorities noted that the surviving Schroer children—three biological and two adopted—are now in state custody.
Community Impact and Ongoing Trauma
Rose Hill residents expressed grief at the discovery of Kennedy’s body and disbelief that such prolonged abuse had gone unnoticed. Prosecutors say the surviving children will require long-term support and ongoing supervision.
Law enforcement emphasized that the extensive timeline and layers of deception made the case unusually complex, but also one of the most disturbing child-abuse investigations in the area.
Final Thoughts
The sentencing leaves many questions in the community, particularly regarding how the abuse continued for so long and how Kennedy’s disappearance went undetected by outside agencies.
If you live in Kansas or nearby areas and have thoughts on this case or experiences with the child-welfare system, share your perspective in the comments.
