Authorities said 7-month-old Ruth Stutzman was riding in a wagon with an adult family member when the pony became spooked.
HARMONY, Minn. — A 7-month-old girl died after a pony pulling a wagon became spooked and kicked her at a home in southeastern Minnesota, authorities said, prompting an investigation by the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office and the regional medical examiner.
The Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s Office identified the child as Ruth Stutzman, who was born March 1. The incident happened Oct. 6 at a residence north of Harmony, a small community near Minnesota’s border with Iowa. Authorities have described their account of what happened as preliminary and said the investigation remains open.
Fillmore County dispatchers received a 911 call at about 1:56 p.m., according to authorities. Investigators said Ruth and an adult family member were riding in a wagon being pulled by a pony when the animal became spooked. The pony then kicked the infant, the sheriff’s office said. Authorities have not released the identity of the adult who was with the child.
Emergency responders from several agencies were sent to the property. Fillmore County sheriff’s deputies responded along with Harmony Ambulance, the Harmony Fire Department and the Preston Police Department. A Mayo One medical helicopter was also called to the scene as emergency crews treated the child.
Ruth was flown to Mayo Clinic Hospital-Saint Marys in Rochester after the incident, authorities said. She later died from her injuries. Initial reports did not identify the child, but the regional medical examiner subsequently released her name. Officials have not publicly provided additional details about the circumstances that caused the pony to become startled.
The sheriff’s office initially announced the death Oct. 7, saying its early investigation showed that the child and family member had been riding together in the wagon. Fillmore County Sheriff John DeGeorge separately told local media that his understanding was that the adult family member was handling the pony while the child rode in the wagon. Authorities have not announced any criminal allegations or said that the incident involved intentional conduct.
The case drew attention across Minnesota after the sheriff’s office disclosed the unusual circumstances surrounding the infant’s death. Officials have released only limited information, and investigators have not publicly identified the property where the incident occurred beyond saying it was at a residence north of Harmony. The sheriff’s office also has not released further details about the pony or the wagon.
The Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office and Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s Office are continuing to investigate Ruth’s death. As of Oct. 9, authorities had not announced any charges or released additional findings explaining why the pony became spooked.
Author note: Last updated October 9, 2026.