Former bus aide accused of inappropriately touching children tied to death investigation

WOODBURY, Minn. (FOX 9) - A former school bus attendant accused of inappropriately touching children is now tied to a death investigation in Woodbury.

In 2017, Harvey Kneifl was charged with ten counts of criminal sexual conduct for allegedly inappropriately touching children on his bus route. Kneifl worked as a bus attendant for South Washington County Schools.

According to Woodbury Public Safety, Kneifl was due in court Thursday morning for the verdict in his trial, but he did not show up.

"Typically Mr. Kneifl always showed up to court, always early," said Chris Keyser, Kneifl’s attorney. "So about 8:45 a.m., I started to get a little suspicious when he didn’t show up. I called his home twice and didn’t receive an answer.”

When he did not arrive, Woodbury police completed a welfare check at an apartment at St. Therese Senior Services of Woodbury in the 7500 block of Bailey Road. When no one answered the door, authorities went inside, where they found Kneifl and a deceased woman. Both had “significant injuries.” 

Emergency crews took Kneifl to Regions Hospital. They believe his injuries were self-inflicted.

Keyser confirmed with FOX 9, the woman found dead was Kneifl’s wife. Her death remains under investigation.

"It’s a difficult case for everyone involved but the fact that there has been a reported person that someone is no longer alive, that’s always difficult to hear," said Keyser. "But we’re hoping for the best at this point.” 

An executive director at St. Therese released the following statement: "Here at St. Therese we are committed to providing a safe environment for all our residents and our hearts go out to all affected by this tragedy."