Marion father ‘premeditated’ how to kill his 5-year-old who he strangled, prosecutors say

A Marion father accused of strangling his 5-year-old son Tuesday morning told police he had been up most of night “trying to decide” if and how to kill the preschooler.

Matthew Gerald Schleier, 45, told Marion investigators he had thoughts for the last week of killing his son, according to criminal complaint. He had thought about using knives, which police said they found as they collected evidence during the execution of a search warrant at the home in the 4100 block of Willowbrook Drive in Marion.

Records show police had not been called to the home before Tuesday.

  Buy Photo

The evidence of knives indicated Schleier was premeditating his actions, the complaint said.

Schleier, wearing a padded vest and appearing by video from the Linn County Jail, was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder during an initial appearance in Linn County District Court. He showed no visible emotion, looking straight ahead during his appearance.

Sixth Judicial Associate District Judge Casey Jones asked Schleier if he had a lawyer or if the court needed to appoint one for him. Schleier said he would need one appointed.

Jones set his bail at $1 million cash-only, as requested by the Linn County Attorney’s Office.

Schleier served as an executive with the United Fire Group in Cedar Rapids. The company announced on October 2023 that he was promoted to a vice president within the Cedar Rapids branch. He wrote on his LinkedIn business profile online that in May he became the company’s assistant vice president of field operations and agency resources. UFG did not respond to calls Wednesday about his current status with the company.

Police received a 911 call about 5:57 a.m. Tuesday for an unresponsive 5-year-old “who wasn’t breathing and was warm to the touch,” according to a criminal complaint. Marion Fire Department medics started lifesaving measures and then police officers assisted.

The paramedics asked the child’s mother, Victoria Schleier, a kindergartner teacher at St. Joseph’s in Marion, how she found her son, Jack, and the mother said, “His dad strangled him,” the complaint states.

An officer asked Matthew Schleier if his wife was correct and he confirmed that he strangled Jack, the complaint states.

Police, in a news release, said at the time of the “incident” in the home, two other adults and an additional child were present. None of them were physically harmed.

  Buy Photo

Chris McCarville, president of Xavier Catholic Schools, in a letter to the schools’ families, wrote, “It is with deep sadness that we share with you the news of the passing of St. Joseph preschool student, Jack Schleier, son of St. Joseph kindergarten teacher, Victoria Schleier. Jack's joyful spirit touched many in our community, and he will be greatly missed.”

“During this difficult time, we ask all XCS families to lift Jack's family in our prayers,” McCarville continued. “As a Catholic school community, we lean on our faith and each other. We ask that families please respect the privacy of Jack's family and not reach out directly at this time. Communication about specific ways to offer support will be shared with St. Joseph families in the near future.”

McCarville, in the letter, also noted Xavier and Grant Wood Area Education Agency counselors would be at St. Joseph on Wednesday and in the weeks ahead to help students deal with the loss.

After Schleier’s initial court appearance, Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks told The Gazette the initial investigation “revealed the defendant allegedly strangled his son until his son became nonresponsive. Sadly, lifesaving efforts failed and the child died.”

“This boy left behind a grieving mother and many other close family members,” Maybanks said. “Our hearts go out to them after suffering this shocking and devastating loss. Nobody should ever have to endure the loss of a child. The pain has to be unimaginable. I would ask that their family be given privacy and respect while they deal with this tragedy.”

Maybanks also asked if anyone has potential information or evidence about the circumstances of this case to contact the Marion Police Department. This case remains under investigation.

“We will do all in our power to obtain justice for this child,” he said.

Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com

Emily Andersen and John McGlothlen of The Gazette contributed to this report.