LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) – There is a new development in the case involving Onalaska toddler Major Harris’ death.
The three-year-olds body was found in Milwaukee on Thursday, one week after his mother, Mallery Muenzenberger, was found dead.
Courtesy: Milwaukee Police Department
Major’s father, Carlton, said at a press conference Friday that Major would be buried in La Crosse with his mother.
But now, Mallery’s family tells News 8 Now Carlton retracted his statement, and instead plans to bury Major in Madison.
The family says they suggested Carlton have a service with Major’s family and friends in Madison first before having Major’s body come to La Crosse.
But Carlton became upset and threatened to sue Mallery’s family.
The family says they will continue pleading with Carlton so that Major can be buried with his mother.
The Muenzenberger family’s statement to News 8 Now reads: “The family of Mallery Muenzenberger and Major Harris have beenfaced with yet another heartache in their efforts to provide apeaceful burial for Mallery and Major. Only yesterday thebiological father of Major, Carleton Harris told the family and theworld as he announced it the media that it was his intention aswell as the Muenzenbergers to have Major be buried with hismother. On Friday, 10/22/21 Carleton Harris told the medicalexaminer that Major would be going to Lacrosse for burial. But,later that night after the body was released and enroute toLacrosse, Carleton recanted and stopped this process. Heinformed the funeral home that they could no longer take thebody of Major Harris to Lacrosse and insisted the body be taken toMadison. He told the family “You can bury your daughter whereyou want, and I will be burying my son in Madison”. The family ofMallery attempted to reach out to him to discuss the situation andto suggest he have a service with his family and friends inMadison and then allow Major to be transported to Lacrosse to beburied with his mother. Carleton became extremely agitated andthreatened to sue the Muenzenberger family along with thespokesperson who initiated the call to him. He stated he will behiring a lawyer and plans to sue the Milwaukee Police Departmentas well. He would not have a conversation and would not allowthe spokesperson to discuss compromising. The family would likeCarleton to continue to plan his services and have time with littleMajor, but they are pleading for this baby boy to be allowed to bewith his mother at her final resting place in Lacrosse. As Majorsstep mother states, “Major is already in his mothers arms andwith our Lord. We realize the burial is a formality. But, we feelstrongly that his remains should be laid to rest beside his motherwho fought so hard for him.”
Once Majors body was discovered and Carleton told theauthorities he could be buried with his mother, the family reachedout to the local funeral home. Awaiting our Major in his casketare his teddy bear and blankie along with the new pair of shoeshe never got to wear -to take with him on his journey home.”
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