Alaska Couple Arrested After 4-Year-Old Girl in Their Care Was Slapped, Starved, and Died of Brain Injury, Police Say
PALMER, AK – A couple in Alaska is facing multiple felony charges after a 4-year-old girl in their care died of a brain injury, with prosecutors alleging the child was regularly slapped, denied food, and ultimately starved and beaten before her death.
Investigation Begins After Child’s Death
Authorities say Jackie Caswell, 47, and Sergie Krukoff, 46, became the focus of an investigation in August after the little girl died under suspicious circumstances.
On Aug. 11, Alaska State Troopers responded to a home in Palmer, where the child was being given CPR. She was rushed to the hospital, where doctors discovered she had a severe brain injury. Despite treatment, she died on Aug. 24.
The medical examiner ruled her death a homicide.
Teenager Blew the Whistle
During court hearings, District Attorney Trina Sears revealed that a teenager living in the same house had been instructed to lie to police about what happened to the girl.
Instead, the teen came forward, telling investigators that Caswell was seen slapping and hitting the child and that both adults frequently withheld food from her. The teenager said they often snuck food to the girl in secret because she was being deliberately starved.
Charges and Arrests
On Sept. 25, a grand jury indicted Caswell on charges of:
- Second-degree murder
- Criminally negligent homicide
- Endangering the welfare of a child
Krukoff was indicted on charges of endangering the welfare of a minor.
The day after the indictment, the couple went into hiding. They were eventually located in Wasilla on Sept. 27 and arrested by Alaska State Police.
Caswell’s bail was set at $300,000 cash, while Krukoff was held on $35,000 cash bail, plus an additional $1,000 bond tied to a 2018 criminal non-support case. Both are scheduled to appear in court again on Oct. 14.
Community Outrage
The case has horrified the community and ignited debate over child protection laws in Alaska. Many are calling for tougher sentencing and oversight of guardians caring for children who aren’t their own.
“That poor girl was failed at every level — by those entrusted to protect her and by the system,” one local resident wrote online.
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