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Kansas DCF determines Olivia Jansen's death result of child abuse, releases summary

Agency twice contacted about 3-year-old
Posted at 10:36 AM, Jul 31, 2020
and last updated 2020-07-31 18:21:26-04

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Kansas Department for Children and Families on Friday released a summary of Olivia Jansen's file, saying it had found the 3-year-old's death to be the result of child abuse.

The summary shows that the state was contacted twice by people concerned about Olivia's well-being in the months before her death on July 10. The toddler was found dead in a shallow grave in a wooded area of Kansas City, Kansas, hours after her father, Howard Jansen III, reported her missing.

The department's summary shows the Kansas Protection Report Center received two reports about Olivia on Feb. 28. One report claimed Olivia's father hit the child, which left a bruise. The report also expressed concern that Olivia's leg may have been broken. The second report claimed it was the father's girlfriend who hit Olivia.

READ: Kansas Department for Children and Families Child Fatality Summary

According to the agency, a social worker visited Olivia that day but noted she had no bruises or injuries.

After conducting interviews, the reporter recanted their story and the claim was unsubstantiated, according to the agency.

Another call was placed to the Department for Children and Families on June 22. The caller stated the caregiver was unable to care for Olivia.

The case was assigned as Family In Need of Assessment (FINA). The department said it followed up eight days later by conducted a video call with Olivia, who was out of state with her father's girlfriend, Jacqulyn Kirkpatrick. The agency also spoke to Olivia's father and requested Jansen take a drug test. According to the state, he tested positive for THC on July 7. Olivia's body was found three days later.

Jansen and his girlfriend, Jacqulyn Kirkpatrick, remain jailed on murder charges in relation to Olivia's death. When Olivia was found, she had "severe bruising" on her face and body and showed signs of significant physical abuse, according to court records.

For jurisdictions that utilize the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers Tips Hotline, anonymous tips can be made by calling 816-474-TIPS (8477), submitting the tip online or through the free mobile app at P3Tips.com.

Annual homicide details and data for the Kansas City area are available through the 41 Action News Homicide Tracker, which was launched in 2015.