Colorado Springs Woman Charged in death of Children Amid Custody Battle

A Colorado Springs woman, Kimberlee Singler, 35, is facing charges of first-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, child abuse, and assault in connection with the tragic deaths of her 9-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son. Court records have revealed that Singler had been involved in a contentious custody battle with her ex-husband, Kevin Wentz.

The Colorado Springs Police Department received a report of a burglary at Singler’s apartment in the early hours of December 19. Upon arrival, officers discovered Singler and her oldest daughter injured, as well as the lifeless bodies of her two other children. The victims have been identified as Elianna “Ellie” and Aden Wentz, according to a statement released by their father.

Authorities later determined that the reported burglary was a fabrication and obtained an arrest warrant for Singler on December 26. She was apprehended in the United Kingdom and made her first court appearance in London on Monday.

Court records indicate that Singler had filed for divorce from Kevin Wentz in September 2018, and the case was still pending when the tragic incident occurred. Singler also sought a protection order in El Paso County, alleging that Wentz had threatened her with a kitchen knife during a visitation exchange. Singler claimed that she had previously filed an emergency motion to restrict Wentz’s parenting time due to allegations of physical abuse against their son, but the restriction was lifted in a hearing.

In the protection order, Singler detailed an incident where Wentz brandished a kitchen knife and made threatening remarks. Singler retreated to safety inside her home and called the police, who informed her that Wentz accused her of setting him up. Singler further alleged that Wentz was actively seeking sole physical custody and decision-making authority over their children.

Following the protection order, Singler filed another emergency motion to restrict Wentz’s parenting time. Both parties were subsequently ordered to undergo a polygraph test, and on November 16, the court terminated the parenting time restriction. As part of the custody agreement, Singler was supposed to bring the children to visit Wentz between December 16 and December 31.

Wentz, concerned about the custody agreement, filed an emergency motion for police enforcement. However, Singler’s compliance with the visitation schedule and the subsequent events leading to the tragedy remain unclear.

Singler’s extradition from the United Kingdom to the United States is pending, with a court hearing scheduled for January 29 in London to determine the outcome. According to Colorado Springs police, the extradition process is governed by a 2003 treaty between the two countries and involves multiple appeal steps.

The arrest warrant for Singler is currently sealed and will only be unsealed when she appears in court in Colorado.