Inset: Craig M. Kerzmann (Ward County Jail). Background: The Minot, N.D., Police Department (Google Maps).
A 49-year-old man in North Dakota and his 45-year-old partner are accused of concealing the death of their infant before hiding the child's remains in a tote containing concrete for about three years.
Craig Michael Kerzmann and Sarah Kerzmann were taken into custody and charged with one count each of failure to report the corpse of a child and disturbing a human burial site, both felonies. Craig Kerzmann also faces an additional felony charge of domestic violence resulting in serious bodily injury, authorities announced.
According to a press release from the Minot Police Department, officers responded to the couple's residence in southeast Minot at about 4:18 p.m. Saturday regarding a reported domestic violence incident.
During the investigation, officers learned about "a deceased infant" believed to be the child of Craig and Sarah Kerzmann. It was not immediately clear how the alleged domestic violence incident led to information about the dead baby.
"Investigators received information that the child died approximately three years ago in another state and that the death was not reported to law enforcement at the time," police wrote in the release. "Investigators were told that the infant's remains were believed to be located in a tote containing concrete."
Authorities said they soon located "a tote consistent with the description provided" and transported it to the North Dakota State Forensic Examiner's Office in Bismarck for evaluation.
While investigators have not disclosed any details about the circumstances of the child's death, police said they are working with law enforcement partners in Texas, where the infant is believed to have died.
Craig Kerzmann was taken into custody and transported to the Ward County Jail, where he was being held without bond, records show. He is scheduled to make his first appearance before Judge Steven Lautt on Monday.
Sarah Kerzmann was arrested while receiving medical care and would be transported to the Ward County Jail once cleared by doctors, police said.
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