A North Dakota couple is accused of concealing their infant's death for approximately three years before hiding the child's remains in a tote containing concrete, according to the Minot Police Department.
Craig Michael Kerzmann, 49, and Sarah Kerzmann, 45, were taken into custody and charged with one count each of failure to report the corpse of a child and disturbing a human burial site, both felonies. Craig Kerzmann also faces an additional felony charge of domestic violence resulting in serious bodily injury, authorities announced.
Background
The investigation began when Minot Police officers responded to a reported domestic violence incident at the couple's residence in southeast Minot at approximately 4:18 p.m. Saturday. During their inquiry, officers discovered information about "a deceased infant" believed to be the child of both Craig and Sarah Kerzmann.
Investigators later learned that the child died approximately three years ago in another state and that the death was never reported to law enforcement at the time, according to the police press release. The investigation has since expanded with assistance from law enforcement partners in Texas, where authorities believe the infant may have died.
The case represents a troubling pattern of alleged concealment, as investigators say the couple allegedly kept the infant's remains hidden for an extended period before placing them in the concrete-filled tote at their North Dakota home.
The Investigation
After receiving information about the infant's death and the location of the remains, authorities located "a tote consistent with the description provided" at the Kerzmann residence, police said. The container was transported to the North Dakota State Forensic Examiner's Office in Bismarck for examination and evaluation.
Investigators have not disclosed specific details regarding the circumstances surrounding the child's death. The case remains active as law enforcement works to determine how and when the infant died, with authorities coordinating across state lines to piece together the timeline of events.
The domestic violence investigation that initially prompted police response has reportedly connected to the discovery of the deceased infant, though officials have not elaborated on how these two elements intersected during their inquiry.
Key Takeaways
- Craig Michael Kerzmann and Sarah Kerzmann are charged with failure to report a corpse of a child and disturbing a human burial site
- The couple allegedly concealed an infant's death for approximately three years before hiding remains in concrete
- Craig Kerzmann also faces a felony charge of domestic violence resulting in serious bodily injury
- The infant is believed to have died in Texas, where investigators are coordinating with local law enforcement
- Remains were found at the couple's residence in southeast Minot and transported to Bismarck for forensic examination
- No details about the circumstances of the child's death have been released by authorities
What's Next
Craig Kerzmann was booked into the Ward County Jail, where he was being held without bond as of Sunday. He is scheduled to make his first appearance before Judge Steven Lautt on Monday.
Sarah Kerzmann was arrested while receiving medical care and will be transported to the Ward County Jail once cleared by physicians, according to police.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities expected to provide additional details as the case progresses through the legal system. Investigators continue working with Texas law enforcement partners as they work to establish a complete timeline of events surrounding the infant's death.