Matthew Schleier, Marion, Iowa dad planned 5 year old son’s murder for a week before strangling him to death. A search of the home also led to knives discovered that the father was also contemplating using in premeditated murder. Victim id as Jack Schleier.
An Iowa man confessed to thinking about murdering his 5 year old son for a week before strangling the boy to death on Tuesday.
Matthew Schleier, 45, upon his arrest was charged with first-degree murder, WSAZ reported.
According to police, Marion Police officers were called to a home early Tuesday morning for a report of a 5-year-old boy not breathing after receiving a 911 call from the victim’s mother. The mother told paramedics ‘his dad strangled him.’ An officer asked Schleier if that was true and he admitted to strangling the boy, identified as Jack Matthew Schleier.
Dad had been promoted to regional insurance vice president last fall
Paramedics performed life-saving measures on the boy and he was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Medical personnel noted bruising to the child’s neck that appeared consistent with strangulation.
During formal police questioning, Schleier admitted to strangling his son.
Schleier said had been up most of the night trying to decide how he was going to kill his son and that he had thoughts of killing the boy for a week. He also admitted that he had thoughts about using knives to kill his son.
During a formal interview with investigators, Schleier admitted to strangling his son.
Schleier said had been up most of the night trying to decide how he was going to kill his son and that he had thoughts of killing the boy for a week. He also admitted that he had thoughts about using knives to kill his son.
While executing a search warrant, investigators collected evidence, including knives, indicating Schleier was premeditating his actions.
Appearing in court via video conference on Wednesday, Sixth Judicial Associate District Judge Casey Jones asked Schleier if he had a lawyer or if the court needed to appoint one for him. Schleier said he would need one appointed, the Gazette reported.
Schleier remained held on a $1 million cash bond.
The father’s next court appearance is slated for November 8th.
Not immediately known is why the father had sought to kill his own infant son.
An October 30, 2023 business post reported UFG Insurance promoting Regional Manager Matthew Schleier to a vice president within the Cedar Rapids branch.
A support fundraiser to help the victim’s mother and his sister had raised over $40K in two days.
