‘I killed her’: Cedar Springs mom admits to killing 2-year-old daughter in court records
Mugshot of Irene Whitehead.
CEDAR SPRINGS, Mich. — A mother in Kent County now faces charges of murder and child abuse after she admitted to killing her two-year-old daughter during an interview with detectives.
Irene Whitehead was arraigned Monday on the pair of felony charges. The 27-year-old is accused of killing her daughter, Ryleigh Whitehead, on September 3, 2025.
Sheriff’s deputies responded to the family’s home on South Allen Street in Cedar Springs for the toddler who was reportedly not breathing. Irene initially told investigators Ryleigh experienced a breathing episode.
The Kent County Medical Examiner’s Office could not determine a cause of death, but noted that suffocation could not be ruled out, per court records.
Detectives began uncovering evidence pointing to unsettling conversations and actions Irene took in the months leading up to Ryleigh’s death.
Mother only wanted one child
During an instant message chat with her mother in April, Irene said she only wanted to have one child, despite having Ryleigh and a 7-year-old daughter. Detectives copied the chat history into evidence in court.
“I’ll be getting rid of most of their stuff then,” wrote Irene.
“Why?” asked her mother.
“Then maybe they’ll behave more,” answered Irene.
“Not when they just want your attention,” said mom.
“This is why I only want 1 kid,” responded Irene.
“Well you have 2,” wrote mom.
“Yeah 2 with no help at all,” said Irene.
Older daughter’s screams on camera
A video pulled from Irene’s online archives captured a girl screaming in a dark room. According to court records, the video was recorded on August 25, 2025, and Irene identified the voice as her older daughter.
The girl is heard saying, “You never even wanted me. You only want me to die. I know you want me to die.”
“Just kill me already,” the girl yelled, per a transcript.
Death-centric online search
Detectives also pulled Irene’s online search history, finding that days after Ryleigh’s death she searched, “how hard is it to prove if cause of death is suffocation by a bag in a toddler.”
Irene was interviewed on November 25 and confronted with her search history. According to court records, she admitted to the search.
Recent interview leads to charges
Later in that interview, detectives asked Irene, “The moment you killed Ryleigh, what color was the bag?”
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