Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree today announced charges of first-degree murder, aggravated child endangerment and criminal desecration in the death of 3-year-old Olivia Jansen.
The charges were filed against Howard Jansen III, who is Olivia’s father, and Jacqulyn Kirkpatrick, who is Jansen’s girlfriend.
Olivia originally was reported missing on Friday morning, July 10, near 44th and Gibbs, according to police. Later in the day, after a search, her body was found shortly after 5:30 p.m. in a wooded area near 34th and Steele, according to police.
Jansen and Kirkpatrick are being held in the Wyandotte County Jail. Bond was requested at $500,000.
Dupree urged anyone in the community who has more information about this case to call the police.
He thanked the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department, FBI and KBI for their work on this case. They moved quickly, he said, and were able to get information about the case leading to the charges.
He said his office will continue to seek justice for Olivia. He also said the investigation is still ongoing, and the information he could provide is limited.
“This is a very difficult time, and there is nothing I could say to ease the pain of what you’re going through,” Dupree said he would say to other relatives of the child. He offered his condolences and asked the community to stand with the other family members.
Jansen and Kirkpatrick face a possible sentence of life in prison with eligibility for parole after 25 years on the murder charge; five to 17 months on the aggravated endangerment of a child charge; and up to one year on the misdemeanor charge of desecration.
#FreeWhitney, She deserves to come and bury her child. This is a pain, hurt and damage that will last a lifetime. A mother always needs closure in the event of tragedy