Tasha Haefs: Missouri woman accused of decapitating 6-year-old son and dog deemed fit for trial

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JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI: Following a harrowing incident in 2022, Tasha Haefs, a Missouri resident accused of the gruesome act of decapitating her 6-year-old son and their dog, has been declared mentally competent to stand trial.

Haefs, aged 37, was apprehended on February 15, 2022, and charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with the death of her young son, Karvel Stevens.

Initially, in June 2022, she was deemed mentally unfit to face trial, resulting in the suspension of legal proceedings while she underwent treatment, as per court records cited by USA Today.

Monitoring Haefs' progress, the Missouri Department of Mental Health submitted a confidential report, advocating for the resumption of legal proceedings. This request was granted by a judge in the 16th Circuit Court of Jackson County, permitting the case to move forward, as reported by KMBC.

Police uncover gruesome scene at Tasha Haefs' residence 

The chilling events unfolded on February 15, 2022, when Kansas City police responded to a distress call from Haefs' residence, where an unidentified woman inside expressed concerns that "the devil was trying to attack her," as detailed by WDAF-TV. Upon arrival, officers were confronted with disturbing scenes, including blood and hair on the property, and purportedly heard Haefs singing inside, according to the criminal complaint.

"Officers while attempting to make contact with the female occupant observed what appeared to be the severed head of a deceased person near the threshold of the residence," authorities stated in the complaint. 

Tasha Haefs admits to grisly murder of son in bathtub

Upon entry, authorities discovered the lifeless body of Haefs' young son near the front door, alongside a deceased dog, as reported by KSHB-TV. Evidence of violence was apparent throughout the residence, with two knives and a blood-stained screwdriver found in plain sight.

During police interrogation, "Haefs admitted to killing the victim in the bathtub and decapitating the victim," the complaint detailed. The child's death was later confirmed as a homicide. Haefs is scheduled for arraignment on April 29.