“We don’t have a son no more.”
In a shocking revelation, a voicemail from Cedar Sarten, an Alaska mother, reportedly surfaced after she took the life of her 5-year-old son, followed by a call to the boy’s father to disclose the tragic news, as stated by authorities.
Authorities from the Fairbanks Police Department informed Law&Crime on Tuesday that Sarten not only fatally assaulted her child with a 20-pound weight on Oct. 13, but she also reportedly attacked his deceased body with a knife afterward.
Sarten, 43, reportedly tried to end her life following the alleged assault on her son, inflicting cuts on her forearms, neck, and head. She then contacted Gagner and the police the next day around 10 a.m. on Oct. 14 to disclose the events, according to her complaint.
Emergency personnel took Sarten, a repeat offender with over 20 arrests, to a nearby medical facility. She faces charges including felony theft, assault, criminal mischief, and reckless endangerment involving her son. On Monday, she was charged and continues to be hospitalized.
Sarten’s complaint reveals that she left multiple voice messages for Gagner when he did not respond, including one recorded from her hospital bed.
In a communication from the hospital, Sarten reportedly reached out to Gagner and expressed: “I understand you’re furious with me because he passed away under my care.” I reached out to you, alright. I reached out to you. I sensed that something was amiss. I hold no blame towards you. I’m simply stating my point.
According to the complaint, Fairbanks police report that Gagner informed investigators that Sarten had been “acting differently” in the days preceding their son’s death, and her behavior was “inconsistent with her normal demeanor.” According to the complaint, he and Sarten share joint custody, and it was Sarten’s responsibility to care for the boy this time.
Documents from the court reveal that Sarten has a history of violence, highlighted by a conviction in 2022 for reckless endangerment involving her son. According to the report, she allegedly “grabbed onto his head and twisted it” when he was approximately 16 months old.
The autopsy revealed that the boy died from severe blunt-force trauma to his head and brain.
According to Soden’s comments to Law&Crime, the officers involved in the case have found it particularly challenging to manage such details.
Loved ones have created a GoFundMe campaign to assist with funeral expenses and cope with the tragedy, featuring a photo and details about the boy, similar to what was shared in his obituary.
Authorities have announced that Sarten is charged with first-degree murder. A court date has yet to be assigned to her.