Omaha man charged with murder after crash kills his 3-year-old son

By Abbie Petersen

Click here for updates on this story

    OMAHA, Nebraska (KETV) — An Omaha man is accused of kidnapping his son and now faces charges in his death.

According to investigators, 40-year-old Larry Lunnin was driving in Morgan County, Missouri Saturday with his sons in the car ages 3 and 7.

The car crashed, killing 3-year-old Franklin.

Franklin’s aunt says right now the entire family is dealing with a lot of mixed emotions.

As one boy is back with his mom, but the other is gone forever.

Manda Schulte sets out dozens of photos in the back of her car showing the smiling face of her nephew, Franklin.

Pictures show the boy with his mom and his older brother.

“He was the most precious boy in the world in the whole entire world,” Schulte said.

A young vibrant life they will miss so much.

Franklin died in a car crash in Missouri and his father is now charged in the case.

“He was the most genuine little dude. He is three years old. You would think that he was much older than that because he was just an old soul,” Schulte said.

Shulte says the family hadn’t seen the two boys since late last year.

After she says their father took them and vanished.

She didn’t think this would be the way they would find out where they were.

“We found out via Facebook, and we were determined for my sister not to see that. So my dad rushed home and let her know that way,” Schulte said.

Douglas County court records show a history of trouble between Lunnin and the children’s mother.

In September 2020, Lunnin faced charges including child abuse and domestic violence.

But then in 2021, he filed multiple protection orders saying he was the victim of domestic abuse and he didn’t want the kids to stay with their mom.

Then in April of this year, a warrant was issued for Lunnin because he failed to appear in court on the charges he faced.

Now Shulte hopes for justice as she mourns Franklin.

“If it does go to trial and the judge gives them the maximum that he possibly can,” Schulte said.

And while they’re happy to have Franklin’s brother back, Larry Jr. — nothing will ease the pain of their loss.

“We’re eager and happy that Larry’s here with us, but we’re just so sad,” said Schulte.

In addition to second-degree murder, Lunnin faces charges including involuntary manslaughter, parental kidnapping and two counts of child abduction.

After Franklin’s autopsy, his aunt says he will be cremated and brought back to Omaha for a funeral next week

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.