SEDGWICK COUNTY– Over the last 15 months the Maize Police Department has been actively investigating the disappearance of 31-year-old Kendra Nystrom who disappeared from her parent’s home on May 4, 2017.

The Maize Police Department in a media release reported Friday they had followed up on tips and alleged sightings of Kendra from as far away as Mexico with the help from many different law enforcement and other government agencies.

“Volunteers and canine search teams have assisted in searching parks, creeks and other areas for Kendra. The Kansas Chapter of Texas Equusearch, the same volunteers who searched for Lucas Hernandez, began searching for Kendra on July 7, 2018.

Two days later, members of this group made two significant discoveries in the Cowskin Creek near where Kendra was last seen: an article of clothing similar to what she was last seen wearing and the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center confirmed that a second item tested positive for her DNA. We intentionally withheld announcing this information to the public until we had these results and had notified Kendra’s family.

Based on the recent discoveries by Equusearch and the confirmation of Kendra’s DNA through forensic science, along with the totality of the circumstances surrounding Kendra’s disappearance, we believe it highly probable that Kendra went into the flooded creek on May 4, 2017 and likely drowned.

However, because we can neither prove or disprove this theory due to the lack of human remains, Kendra is still considered a missing person and her case remains open.

In September of 2017, the creek was searched by canines trained in the detection of human remains and while the dogs showed an interest in a particular area of the creek, no human remains were found. The investigation then focused on several tips and other reported claims that Kendra had been the victim of foul play. We announced on the one-year anniversary of her disappearance that we regretfully believed Kendra was deceased based partially on these tips and other known facts about the case. We did this in hopes of drawing further information from those individuals having first-hand knowledge that would lend credence to these claims. Minimal additional information was received. 

While we still hope to one day bring Kendra home to her family, we now have a working theory based on physical evidence to answers some of the questions that have troubled law enforcement and tormented Kendra’s family for over a year.”

SUMNER COUNTY — A Kansas mother is in custody for the alleged death of her 7-month-old daughter.

Shelby Johnson, 26, is charged with first-degree murder, child abuse and aggravated endangering a child, according to Sumner County Attorney’s office.

Just after 9a.m. April 1, Schuyler Hulett took his 7-month-old daughter Jesslin Hulett from his home in Wellington to the emergency room at Sumner Regional Medical Center because the child was not breathing, according to the criminal complaint filed Thursday.

Doctors in ER did get a pulse and the child was transported to a Wichita hospital where she died April 5.

Court documents say Johnson killed her infant daughter either by “cruelly beating” or “shaking” the baby. The documents say the girl needed immediate medical treatment, but Johnson went back to bed and the baby’s father found her not breathing about an hour later. The baby’s injuries included three bone fractures to her skull.

An autopsy found the child suffered from blunt force trauma to the head, broken bones and other injuries, according to court documents.

Johnson is being held on a $250,000 Bond, according to the jail roster.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

BARTON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities re investigating a suspect for alleged animal cruelty.

Just after 2:30p.m. Thursday, the Barton County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Golden Belt Humane Society and the Barton County Health Department in the execution of a search warrant in connection with a case of animal cruelty and maintaining a public nuisance, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

Upon entering the residence in the 400 block of North East 110 Avenue, authorities found excessive quantities of feces and extremely unsanitary conditions.

Twenty cats, four dogs and two chickens were removed from inside the residence. Another 10 cats, two dogs a horse and a donkey were found outside of the residence.

A decaying horse carcass was also found in a barn.  It had been there for several months, according to Bellendir.

All the animals were taken to the Golden Belt Humane Society to be examined by a veterinarian. Many of the animals showed signs of neglect or poor health.  The residence was deemed to be unlivable.

Deputies arrested Cletus Wolford, 63 of Ellinwood, on requested charges of cruelty to animals, maintaining a public nuisance and obstruction of officers.

He is being held in lieu of a $2500.00 bond and may face additional charges, according to Bellendir.

TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Osage County Sheriff’s Office have identified the remains of a woman who was found last August north of Melvern Lake, in Osage County.

According to a media release, the victim was identified as Anna Marie Baldwin.

She was 40 years old at the time she was discovered. Baldwin lived in the Topeka area. She was 5 ft. 6 in. tall, and weighed approximately 120 lbs. She had brown hair, hazel eyes, and at times wore gold framed glasses.

The KBI believes Baldwin was killed sometime between April and July 2017.

They ask anyone who knew Baldwin in late 2016 or in 2017, or who has information related to this crime, to contact them at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Callers may remain anonymous.