January death of child to be treated as a homicide

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LUDLOW, Vt. — An 11-month old male child died in an apparent homicide, according to an investigation led by Vermont State Police.

The New Hampshire Chief Medical Examiner’s Office found the child, Karsen Rickert, died of asphyxia due to strangulation and/ or smothering. 

Around 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 11, Ludlow police responded to an unresponsive infant at the home Wood shares with her boyfriend Tyler Pollender-Savery at 422 Route 100.

The child was later pronounced dead at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon.

Karsen is the son of Abigail Wood and Nicholas Rickert. Attempts to reach Nick Rickert, Wood and Savery were not successful. 

Rickert went to Springfield High School and formerly worked for Benson’s Chevrolet, Inc. in Ludlow. Wood is a licensed nursing assistant. 

Ludlow Police deferred questions to the Vermont State Police.

State Police Detective Sgt. Mike Dion said law enforcement is notified by hospitals whenever a death looks suspicious or if marks and bruises appear on the body. 

“There was obviously something on the body that led them to call us,” Dion said.

Dion declined to give details about the marks and bruises. Dion said police have suspects in mind, though because of the pending investigation he declined to say whom. There were also objects found at the home where the infant was staying that “we’re concerned about,” he said. Dion declined to mention specifics.

Vermont State Police detectives are continuing to investigate the incident. Dion of the VSP Major Crime Unit can be contacted at 802-722-4600.