On November 25, 2022, police in Kemmerer, Wyoming responded to a call about an unresponsive 5-year-old girl and found her unconscious and not breathing on a couch. The child was in the care of babysitter Cheri Lynn Marler, 51-52, who initially told police the child had fallen down the stairs. Marler later admitted she had struck the child's head 5 to 10 times in a 'clapping motion' after becoming angry with her, and had beaten her with kitchen utensils the day before. The child was found with extensive injuries including multiple rib fractures, a punctured lung, a broken back, old and new head injuries, and countless bruises over her entire body. She was transported to South Lincoln Medical Center and then airlifted to Primary Children's Hospital in Utah, where she was pronounced dead on November 26, 2022. Marler, who had previously told an acquaintance she 'hated' the child and 'just wanted to kill her,' was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse. The child's mother, Kayla Kartchner, had not seen her daughter for two to three days prior to the incident and was subsequently arrested on drug possession charges.
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?
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)
All three documents describe inflicted injuries. Document 2 (Law and Crime) states Marler "killed the 5-year-old girl in her care by repeatedly 'clapping' the kindergartner's head between her hands" and that she "struck the child about five to 10 times 'in a clapping motion.'" Document 3 (Cowboy State Daily) adds that "Marler also told the police she'd beaten the girl with kitchen utensils the day prior." Document 1 (Wyo4News) reports Marler "clapped the daughter's head between her hands and beat her."
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?
The child suffered abusive head trauma. Document 2 (Law and Crime) states Marler "struck the child about five to 10 times 'in a clapping motion'" and "explained it as though she was clapping with (the child's) head in the middle." Document 3 (Cowboy State Daily) confirms the child had "old and new head injuries." The repeated blunt-force trauma to the child's head, which was the mechanism that led to her becoming unconscious and dying, constitutes abusive head trauma.
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Multiple sources describe a pattern of deliberately cruel treatment over at least two days. The Cowboy State Daily article (Document 3) states the child had "old and new bruising," "old and new head injuries," a "broken back," "multiple rib injuries," a "punctured lung," and "countless bruises on her entire body." Marler "admitted" to beating the child with kitchen utensils the day prior and clapping her head 5-10 times on the day of the fatal incident. The Law and Crime article (Document 2) notes Marler told an acquaintance she "hated" the victim, was "sick of" her, and "just wanted to kill her," and the investigating officer wrote they were "shocked at the amount of bruising, cuts, abrasions, and the overall condition" of the child. The presence of old and new injuries indicates sustained abuse over an extended period, combined with expressed intent to kill.
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?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
All three documents explicitly identify Cheri Lynn Marler as the babysitter who killed the child. Document 1 (Wyo4News) states "all children were being watched by babysitter, Cheri Lynn Marler." Document 3 (Cowboy State Daily) states "The girl's babysitter, Cheri Marler, 51, is accused of beating the girl to death at her home." Document 2 (Law and Crime) describes Marler as "A 52-year-old babysitter" who "allegedly killed the 5-year-old girl in her care."
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?
Document 2 (Law and Crime) states "Cheri Lynn Marler is currently awaiting trial on charges of first-degree murder and child abuse in the girl's horrific 2022 slaying." Document 1 (Wyo4News) confirms "Marler was charged with Murder in the First Degree and Aggravated Child Abuse." Document 3 (Cowboy State Daily) adds: "Police on Nov. 27 placed Marler under arrest."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
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?
Document 3 (Cowboy State Daily) references prior criminal history for the mother Kayla Kartchner: "Corpening also considered her criminal history, which reportedly includes a 2016 misdemeanor theft conviction in Utah." It also notes "Corpening asked Kartchner about a 2017 drug possession charge on which she received a deferral in Utah." For Jason Giek, the article states his "far more extensive criminal history" and references "prior convictions" that resulted in his methamphetamine charge being elevated to a felony. These are all separate from the current fatal incident.
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Document 3 (Cowboy State Daily) states the mother "Kayla Kartchner, 27, is charged with two felony marijuana possession charges... and a misdemeanor methamphetamine possession charge." Her boyfriend Jason Giek "was arrested on felony marijuana possession charges as well, and a methamphetamine count." Document 1 (Wyo4News) confirms "Kartchner was charged with two felony marijuana possession charges as well as a misdemeanor methamphetamine possession charge."
Notable Details
Several notable details not fully addressed by other questions: (1) The deceased child's younger sister was found with significant injuries during the investigation. Document 3 (Cowboy State Daily) states: "investigators discovered several injuries on the younger sister, including bruises, cuts and scrapes on her head, face, back, arms, legs and bottom," and the younger sister was placed in state custody. (2) The mother, Kartchner, told police she "hadn't seen her daughter for two or three days" before the fatal incident, raising questions about the living arrangement and oversight. (3) Document 3 reports Kartchner claimed "the town won't let me work" after her daughter's death and that community members "put up a petition" to prevent her employment. (4) Marler initially lied to 911, claiming the child fell down the stairs, and her defense attorney's motions to suppress her confession and the acquaintance's statements about her expressed hatred were denied by the court.
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