Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: "Queens Infant Found Deceased, Covered in Blood From Mommy's Slit Wrists | Crime Alert 6AM 01.09.26"
Date: January 9, 2026
Host: Sydney Sumner (Crime Alert), iHeartPodcasts and CrimeOnline
Theme: The episode delivers urgent updates on shocking crime cases, focusing on a tragic incident involving the death of a 15-month-old in Queens, NY, along with additional national crime news.

Episode Overview

The episode centers on the harrowing case of a Queens mother who is indicted on murder charges after her toddler is found dead, her own wrists slit in what appears to be a murder-suicide attempt. The episode also provides brief updates on other criminal cases, maintaining a fast-paced, fact-driven tone consistent with breaking news reporting.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Queens Toddler Murder Case (00:34–02:42)

• Incident Details

  • Suspect: Nicole Budai, 28, mother of the victim.
  • Victim: Charlie Rimreicha, 15 months old.
  • Timeline:
    • December 29, 2025: Nicole and Charlie are at home with other relatives.
    • Child’s father departs for work at 8:00 AM.
    • At 1:35 PM, Nicole calls the father, tells him "she had killed Charlie and intended to kill herself."
  • Discovery:
    • The child's grandmother enters after being contacted by the father, finds Nicole and Charlie in the locked bathroom.
    • Nicole is in the bathtub, wrists slit, blood in the room, holding unresponsive Charlie.
    • Relatives call 911; officers and paramedics attempt to save Charlie, who is pronounced dead at the hospital.
    • Nicole is hospitalized for wrist lacerations and psychiatric evaluation.

• Legal Proceedings

  • Nicole Budai is arraigned and denied bond.
  • Faces homicide charges (“murder in the second degree for intentionally causing the death of her 15-month-old son”).
  • Next court date: February 19.
  • Potential sentence: 25 years to life.

• Reaction from Officials

  • Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz:

    "This is an extraordinary tragedy. The investigation into the manner of the child's death is ongoing and we extend our sincere condolences to Charlie's family as they mourn this unimaginable loss."
    (00:56)

• Memorable Details

  • The sense of family shock and horror; the grandmother discovering the scene.
  • The immediate, responsive actions of the father and relatives.

2. Brief National Crime Updates (03:13–07:11)

a) Missing Oklahoma Boy (03:13–04:07)

• Case Summary:
  • 12-year-old R.J. Davis Jr. is missing since Friday.
  • Mother (Kimberly Cole Ryan) and stepfather (George Cole) are arrested on separate charges.
  • Charges not yet clearly linked to RJ's disappearance.
  • Last seen near Quality Inn, Chickasha, Oklahoma, around 11:30 PM, in a distinctive outfit.
• Law Enforcement Statement:
  • OSBI’s Hunter McKee calls the disappearance “suspicious” and notes concern as days pass with no clues.
  • Authorities still believe RJ is alive.

b) Illinois Domestic Assault Case (04:07–07:11)

• Case Summary:

  • Suspect: Thomas Andrew Welch, 31.

  • Victim: Unnamed girlfriend.

  • Incident: Victim, covered in blood, approached a stranger’s home after jumping from Welch’s vehicle.

  • Crimes Charged: Attempted murder, aggravated domestic battery, aggravated kidnapping (with some modifications), and aggravated unlawful restraint for accomplice Cody Kimmery.

  • Violent Details:

    • Victim was repeatedly prevented from leaving the vehicle.
    • Suffered head wounds (cut exposing skull), choking injuries, facial bruising.
    • Welch was overheard on dashcam audio:

      “I’m going to have to kill her, bro.” (~05:45)

  • Investigation: Dashcam captures key evidence; physical evidence at the scene.

  • Accomplice: Kimmery also detained (already jailed for unrelated offenses).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• DA Melinda Katz, on the Queens case:

  "This is an extraordinary tragedy. The investigation into the manner of the child's death is ongoing and we extend our sincere condolences to Charlie's family as they mourn this unimaginable loss." (00:56)

• Law enforcement (Oklahoma missing boy):

  “When it gets to a point where it’s multiple days and we’re not sure where this boy had gone, it’s suspicious.” (03:58, paraphrased from OSBI’s Hunter McKee)

• Illinois Kidnapping Audio (from dashcam):

  "I’m going to have to kill her, bro." (05:45, Thomas Andrew Welch)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 00:34–02:42 – Queens toddler murder: case details, DA statement, legal updates.
• 03:13–04:07 – Oklahoma missing boy: timeline, familial arrests, law enforcement plea.
• 04:07–07:11 – Illinois attack/kidnapping: sequence, injuries, suspect details, dashcam audio, police action.

Summary

This episode delivers a concise but impactful briefing on high-profile crime cases: a suspected murder-suicide attempt in Queens taking the life of a toddler, the disappearance of a boy in Oklahoma tied to suspicious parental arrests, and a harrowing kidnapping/assault in Illinois. The show balances urgent reporting with empathetic touches, emphasizing the ongoing investigations and the emotional toll on victims and families, with a focus on justice and public vigilance.