On December 18, 2023, Kimberlee Singler allegedly killed her two children — seven-year-old Aden Wentz and nine-year-old Elianna "Ellie" Wentz — at their home in the Stetson Hills area of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Prosecutors allege Singler shot the children in the head and stabbed them in the neck. Their 11-year-old sister sustained significant injuries but survived, and Singler herself was also found injured. The murders occurred during a contentious custody dispute with the children's father, Kevin Wentz, and just two days before a court-ordered appearance where Singler and the children were required to appear in person. Singler had failed to comply with custody exchange orders on December 16, and an emergency motion for law enforcement assistance was granted on December 18. Singler initially reported the incident as a burglary on December 19, and was initially treated as a victim; after police determined the burglary report was unfounded and identified her as the suspect, she fled the country, was arrested in London, and was eventually extradited to the United States in December 2025 to face seven felony charges including first-degree murder.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
The USA Today article states: "Prosecutors have alleged that Singler killed her two children by shooting them in the head." This is an explicit reference to a firearm being used in the deaths.
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The USA Today article states: "Prosecutors have alleged that Singler killed her two children by shooting them in the head and stabbing them in the neck in their home." This constitutes explicit inflicted injury — both gunshot wounds and stab wounds.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
All three documents identify Kimberlee Singler as the biological mother of the victims and as the person accused of murdering her two children. The Fox21 article states: "Singler is now accused of murdering her two children, Aden and Elianna." The USA Today article states: "Singler faces seven counts, including the first-degree murders of her 9-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son."
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
Multiple documents confirm Singler was charged and arrested. The Fox21 article states: "a warrant for Singler's arrest was issued on Dec. 26, accompanied by charges including multiple counts of murder, child abuse, and attempted murder." The USA Today article states: "Singler was arrested in London just over a week after two of her young children were discovered dead" and details seven felony charges including first-degree murder.
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The Fox21 article states: "Throughout the custody battle, Wentz says Singler levied serious allegations of child abuse and domestic violence against him. However, court proceedings found these claims unsubstantiated." Additionally, "Singler obtained a Temporary Protection Order in El Paso County, alleging that Wentz brandished a knife toward her." While domestic violence is explicitly referenced in the context of the custody dispute, the allegations were found to be unsubstantiated by the court.
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
Several notable details emerge across the documents that are not fully addressed by the preceding questions. First, the USA Today article reports that Singler initially reported the incident as a burglary: "police responded to a burglary call at Singler's home" and that "it was determined the initial report of a burglary was unfounded." She was initially treated as "a witness and a victim and allowed her to leave the hospital as there was not enough probable cause to suggest she was linked to the children's deaths." After being allowed to leave, she disappeared and fled internationally. Second, the USA Today article confirms she was arrested in London and remained in British custody for approximately two years, challenging her extradition on human rights grounds, arguing that "if convicted she would face a mandatory sentence of life without parole in breach of her human rights." The UK judge rejected this challenge, and she was extradited to the US in December 2025. Third, the Fox21 article details that the murders occurred in the context of an escalating custody dispute: on Dec. 16, "Singler failed to comply with the court's directives and did not bring the children on the scheduled date of exchange," and the court had granted an Emergency Motion for Law Enforcement Assistance on Dec. 18, with a Status Conference scheduled Dec. 20. The murders occurred on Dec. 18, just two days before the scheduled court appearance, suggesting the imminent custody proceedings may have been a precipitating factor.
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