A Michigan mother already accused of killing her young daughter is now facing even more horrifying allegations — this time involving the death of her newborn son nearly five years ago.
Prosecutors announced Tuesday that 27-year-old Irene Aiyana Whitehead has been charged with open murder and first-degree child abuse in connection with the 2021 death of her 2-month-old son, Leonard. At the time, Leonard’s death was ruled natural. But investigators say new evidence uncovered after the death of Whitehead’s 2-year-old daughter, Ryleigh, has completely changed that conclusion.
Whitehead is already charged with open murder and first-degree child abuse for Ryleigh’s death in September 2025. She previously claimed the toddler died from a rare and deadly virus, but authorities now say that explanation was false.
During a Tuesday afternoon news conference, officials from the Kent County Sheriff’s Office and the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office revealed the new charges, calling the case deeply disturbing.
Investigators first responded to Whitehead’s home in Cedar Springs on Sept. 3, 2025, where they found Ryleigh unresponsive and not breathing. The toddler was pronounced dead at the scene. Police noted that Whitehead was the only adult present at the time.
According to court documents, Whitehead later confessed to killing Ryleigh by suffocating her with a bag. During police interviews, she allegedly admitted she wanted her daughter to die and said the stress of raising children had become too much.
“She wouldn’t be here anymore,” Whitehead allegedly told investigators when asked what she intended to accomplish.
Authorities say Whitehead also confessed during the same interview to killing Leonard when he was just two months old. Leonard’s death had previously been attributed to parainfluenza viral-type pneumonia, but investigators now say they no longer believe either child ever suffered from the virus.
In a written statement dated Nov. 25, Whitehead allegedly wrote and signed the words, “I killed them,” referring to both children.
Investigators also uncovered chilling digital evidence. Less than a week after Ryleigh’s death, Whitehead allegedly searched online for “how hard is it to prove if cause of death is suffocation by bag in toddler.” Video evidence recovered from inside the home reportedly showed one of Whitehead’s older children telling her, “you never even wanted me… I know you want me to die,” before saying, “just kill me already.”
Detectives also questioned why Ryleigh had repeatedly been taken to hospitals. When asked if she was intentionally making the child appear sick so she could later kill her, Whitehead allegedly responded, “I wanted to kill her,” adding that she made the decision shortly after Ryleigh was born.
The medical examiner who performed Ryleigh’s autopsy initially could not determine a cause of death, but said asphyxia could not be ruled out. Officials now say the manner of death will be updated to homicide based on the new evidence.
What makes the case even more shocking is Whitehead’s public behavior before her arrest. In September 2023, she gave interviews to local media describing Ryleigh’s supposed battle with parainfluenza and even offered advice to parents of sick children. She also spoke about Leonard’s death at the time, saying she was stunned by how quickly he passed.
Since Whitehead was charged in Ryleigh’s death, investigators reopened Leonard’s case after receiving multiple tips. Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young said the details uncovered were unlike anything her office typically sees.
“This isn’t normal,” she said. “This isn’t what we would normally deal with in a child death.”
Prosecutors say no plea deal will be offered. Whitehead remains jailed without bond and is scheduled to be arraigned on the new charges on Jan. 14. A preliminary hearing in Ryleigh’s case is set for Feb. 9.
If convicted, Whitehead faces the possibility of spending the rest of her life behind bars — as prosecutors continue to unravel what they describe as one of the most disturbing child homicide cases in recent Michigan history.