MANKA TO, Minn. — A 26-year-old father in southern Minnesota faces second-degree manslaughter charges after his 10-month-old son suffocated under a weighted blanket while he chatted online for hours in another room, according to court documents and police reports.
Omni Maxx Morningstar was arrested on Monday and is being held in Blue Earth County Jail, officials said. The incident occurred on Oct. 1, 2025, at the family's home in Mankato, when Morningstar placed his son, Remington, down for a nap around 11 a.m. He did not check on the infant for nearly five hours, until discovering him unresponsive and overheated at about 3:55 p.m., according to the criminal complaint filed in Blue Earth County District Court.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene and performed life-saving measures, but Remington was pronounced dead at a local hospital later that day. A medical examiner determined the cause of death as asphyxia due to compression from the weighted blanket, court papers state. The blanket, along with several others on the child's bed, weighed just under 20 pounds in total — far exceeding safe recommendations for infants.
Morningstar told investigators he had been in a separate bedroom wearing headphones and engaging in online conversations on Discord, a popular platform for gamers and social chats, during the time the baby was alone. "I’m thinking in my head, like five hours, huh," Morningstar reportedly said to police, reflecting on the length of time that had passed. He added, "I really do wish I would have checked on him," according to the complaint obtained by the Minnesota Star Tribune.
The child's body temperature had reached a dangerous 104.7 degrees by the time Morningstar found him, documents indicate. Remington had a history of fevers and colic, which had resulted in multiple hospital visits in the months prior. Morningstar explained to authorities that he began using the weighted blankets several months earlier in an attempt to soothe the infant, who often cried and moved his legs restlessly during sleep.
According to the complaint, the mother of the child reported a similar concerning incident about a month before the fatal event. She told police that Morningstar had previously left Remington alone and fully covered under a king-sized blanket while he was absorbed in video games, forgetting about the baby until reminded. That episode, which occurred in September 2025, did not result in injury but raised alarms about supervision in the home.
Weighted blankets have gained popularity in recent years for their purported calming effects on children and adults with anxiety or sensory issues. However, pediatric experts, including those from the American Academy of Pediatrics, strongly advise against their use for infants under age 2 due to the risk of suffocation and overheating. The organization's guidelines emphasize that any bedding in a baby's sleep area should be lightweight and free of heavy objects to prevent such tragedies.
In this case, the combination of the blanket's weight and the extended period without monitoring created a lethal environment, investigators said. Mankato police described the father's actions as negligent, leading to the manslaughter charge, which carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Morningstar's attorney has not yet commented publicly on the case.
The arrest comes nearly six months after the incident, following a thorough investigation by local authorities. Court records show that Morningstar cooperated with police during initial interviews, providing details about his online activity and the baby's routine. He alerted emergency services immediately upon finding Remington unresponsive, but it was too late to save the child.
Remington's mother, whose name has not been released in public documents, expressed devastation to investigators. She described the family's struggles with the infant's health issues and said she had discussed safe sleep practices with Morningstar on multiple occasions. According to the complaint, she was not home at the time of the nap and returned later to learn of the tragedy.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about parental supervision in the digital age, where online distractions can pull attention away from young children. Discord, with its voice chat features, has become a staple for remote socializing, but experts warn that it should never supersede child safety. Similar incidents involving unattended infants and technology have been reported in other states, though specifics vary.
Blue Earth County officials have not released further details on Morningstar's background, but neighbors in the Mankato community expressed shock upon hearing of the charges. One resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, told local reporters, "It's heartbreaking — you never think something like this could happen right next door." The community, a college town home to Minnesota State University, Mankato, has rallied in support of the family, with online fundraisers emerging to cover funeral costs.
As the legal proceedings move forward, Morningstar is scheduled to appear in court on April 16 for an initial hearing. Prosecutors will need to prove that his negligence directly caused the death, while the defense may argue factors like the child's medical history. Child welfare advocates are watching the case closely, hoping it prompts renewed education on infant sleep safety.
In the broader context of Minnesota child fatalities, the state reports around 40 such deaths annually from unsafe sleep environments, according to the Department of Health. Organizations like Safe Kids Minnesota emphasize the importance of following ABCs of safe sleep: alone, on the back, in a crib with no soft bedding. This incident serves as a stark reminder of those guidelines.
While the investigation appears complete, authorities have not indicated any additional charges against other family members. The focus remains on accountability for Morningstar, whose actions, as described in court filings, led to an unimaginable loss. As the family grieves, the community awaits justice in a case that underscores the fragility of infant lives.