Whitehall woman arrested in death of her 5-year-old son ID'd, appears in court
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing as Garaas faces a charge carrying 10 years to life in prison, Judge Steve Andersen said.
- On Monday, April 27, 2026, Kathryn Lesal Garaas appeared in Jefferson County Justice Court facing a deliberate homicide charge in the death of her 5-year-old son, Reign Tyler Blair, north of Whitehall.
- Reign's father, Tyler, left for work on Friday, April 24, asking Garaas to watch their son. First responders arrived later that morning after a reported medical emergency but could not save the boy.
- Judge Steve Andersen set Garaas's bond at $5 million during her Monday arraignment. The Montana Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the ongoing case.
- Jefferson County Sheriff John Grimsrud noted the case has sent "shockwaves through this rural county," while family friend KC Silva stated the father and family are currently grieving.
- Garaas remains in custody at the Jefferson County Detention Center until her next court date of May 13. The deliberate homicide statute carries a minimum of 10 years and up to 100 years in prison, or life imprisonment.
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Jefferson County residents shocked by murder of 5-year-old boy
BOULDER - A Whitehall woman accused of killing a 5-year-old child was charged with deliberate homicide here in Jefferson County Justice Court in Boulder. Its a crime that has sent shockwaves through this rural county.Deliberate homicide statute is a minimum of 10 years in the state prison up to 100 years in prison or, under the statute, life imprisonment, Judge Steve Andersen told Kathryn Garaas Monday morning.Kathryn Garaas sometimes seemed det…
Helena Independent Record
Whitehall woman arrested in death of her 5-year-old son ID'd, appears in court
According to a court document, the woman was arrested at a home about nine miles north of Whitehall for allegedly causing the death of her 5-year-old son.
Following 5-year-old boy's death, woman seen in court Monday morning
Kathryn Lesal Garaas made an initial appearance in Jefferson County Justice Court on Monday, April 27, 2026.Garaas was arrested on Friday, April 24, 2026, after a 5-year-old boy was found dead north of Whitehall, following a reported medical emergency.According to previous reporting by MTN News, Garaas was arrested for suspected homicide.Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Jefferson Valley E…
Garass Facing Deliberate Homicide Charges After Death of 5-Year-Old Son
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Jefferson Valley EMS, and Deputies from the Madison County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a medical emergency on Tatanka Trail, north of Whitehall, on the afternoon of Friday, April 24th, 2026. Upon arrival, medical aid was provided, but the incident resulted in the death of a 5-year-old male juvenile, Reign Tyler Blair. After an...
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