A judge has dismissed a challenge from a US mother regarding her extradition, stemming from allegations that she killed her two children in Colorado and subsequently “escaped” to London.
On December 19, 2023, the bodies of nine-year-old Elianna and seven-year-old Aden were discovered in Colorado Springs. Prosecutors, representing US authorities, indicated that Kimblee Singler, 36, had “fled” the United States and was apprehended in west London 11 days later.
District Judge John Zani announced at Westminster Magistrates’ Court that he would not uphold Ms. Singler’s extradition objections, stating that the matter would be forwarded to the home secretary to determine if she should be returned to the US.
**Warning: This report contains descriptions of violence against children**
In his ruling, Judge Zani expressed doubt that extraditing the defendant would violate her rights, particularly in relation to her worries about the conditions in prison and the potential for a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
“I firmly believe that extraditing the defendant to the United States for criminal prosecution adheres to her rights as defined by the Human Rights Act 1998,” Judge Zani remarked.
Ms. Singler’s legal representatives have indicated that she plans to appeal the judge’s ruling.
During earlier court proceedings in September, it was mentioned that the alleged offenses occurred amidst contentious custody battles with her ex-husband, Kevin Wentz.
Prosecutor Joel Smith described how, on December 19, 2023, the Colorado Springs Police responded to a 911 call concerning a burglary at a local home around 00:29 local time (06:29 GMT). Upon their arrival, law enforcement discovered two deceased children and a “blood-stained handgun” lying in the bedroom.
DNA analyses conducted on both the firearm and a knife showed mixed profiles consistent with those of the children and Ms. Singler.
Additionally, a third child, whose identity remains undisclosed, was found with a severe neck injury. She was hospitalized and survived the ordeal. Prosecutor Smith detailed that Ms. Singler had accused her husband of perpetrating the attack; however, he had been operating a “GPS-tracked truck” in Denver at the time, providing him with a “complete and verifiable alibi.”
In the ensuing days, the surviving child was placed in foster care, and on Christmas Day, she informed her foster carer that Ms. Singler was responsible for the attack and had urged her to provide false statements to the police, according to Mr. Smith.
The prosecutor added that on December 26, the girl was interviewed by police, during which she described how the incident unfolded after Ms. Singler directed all three children to their bedroom.
This investigation led to the issuance of an arrest warrant for Ms. Singler by the Fourth Judicial District Court in El Paso County, Colorado.
Mr. Smith noted that Ms. Singler was apprehended in the Chelsea area of west London on December 30.
