Illinois Mother Who Searched “How to Kill a Child” Sentenced After Suffocating 7-Year-Old Son, Prosecutors Say
OGLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS — A disturbing child murder case has concluded in Illinois after 38-year-old Sarah Safranek was sentenced for suffocating her 7-year-old son, following years of attempted smothering and chilling online searches about how to kill a child. Prosecutors say the boy, Nathaniel Burton, repeatedly told his grandmothers he feared his mother would take his life.
Boy Told Family “Mama Is Going to Kill Me,” Court Documents Reveal
Court records paint a heartbreaking picture of a child who lived in constant fear. Nathaniel reportedly told his paternal grandmother:
“Mama is going to kill me.”
He also said:
“I can’t breathe, grandma. She won’t let me breathe.”
Prosecutors detailed multiple attempts by Safranek to smother her son using pillows and couch cushions—while he was sleeping, playing, or kneeling on the floor. These incidents reportedly took place over several years before his death in February 2021.
Multiple Witnesses Previously Reported Abuse Concerns
Family members, including Nathaniel’s maternal grandmother, told investigators the boy described repeated suffocation attempts and even an alleged attempt by Safranek to drown him in a bathtub.
Nathaniel’s sister also described seeing Safranek choke him and hit him with a belt.
Foster parents who once cared for Nathaniel reported similar abuse disclosures, including one incident where Safranek allegedly threw a cushion over him and sat on it, refusing to get up.
Despite these numerous warnings, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services visited the home nearly a dozen times over two years and closed each case without intervention.
Internet Searches Reveal Chilling Intent Before Killing
Prosecutors say Safranek’s online history provided horrifying insight into her mindset. Investigators discovered searches that included:
- “What is it called when a parent is obsessed with the thought of killing their child?”
- “How much does cremation of a child cost?”
- “How long does an investigation take after a child passes away?”
- “How to quickly kill someone”
- “Best deadly poisons”
- “Why some mothers kill their children”
- “How to kill someone with a voodoo doll”
These searches occurred in the months and days leading up to Nathaniel’s death.
Safranek Pleads Guilty and Receives 35-Year Sentence
Safranek murdered Nathaniel on February 17, 2021, at their home on S. 10th Street in Oregon, Illinois. He died the following day in the hospital. Investigators uncovered journal entries where Safranek allegedly wrote about harming her children.
She entered a guilty plea in March 2024, later withdrew it, and was set for trial in August 2024. The case was delayed after judicial rulings were appealed, but Safranek eventually pleaded guilty again and received a 35-year prison sentence. She must serve the full sentence before qualifying for supervised release.
As Illinois confronts the tragic details behind Nathaniel Burton’s death, residents are urged to stay aware of child welfare concerns and report potential abuse immediately. For ongoing updates on major crime cases and public-safety news across the region, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.