Top Stories

SALINE COUNTY, Kan. (KRDO) -- The woman accused of killing her stepson has left a Kansas jail, and is on her way back to Colorado to face first-degree murder charges.

According to court records, Letecia Stauch, 36, was released early Thursday morning from the Saline County Sheriff's Office in Salina, Kansas, west of Kansas City.

Salina is about six and a half hours east of Colorado Springs.

It's unclear when exactly Stauch will return to El Paso County, where she faces charges on suspicion of killing Gannon Stauch, 11, but her arrival is expected sometime Thursday.

On Wednesday, news crews from Colorado Springs and Denver gathered at the Criminal Justice Center until they learned of Stauch's overnight stop in Kansas.

She was arrested and charged Monday in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and left that jail shortly after noon Tuesday.

On Wednesday afternoon, an unidentified person placed blue balloons -- in memory of Gannon -- at the entrance to the jail on Las Vegas Street, just outside of southeast Colorado Springs.

The person quickly drove away when approached by a KRDO NewsChannel 13 crew.

However, the balloons caught the attention of Madison Guthrie, 20, a criminal justice student at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs.

"I just wanted to be here to see if (Stauch) was here yet," Guthrie said. "I went to his memorial service and left some gifts. I'm majoring in criminal justice because I feel like justice wouldn't be served in cases like this, most of the time."

Once Stauch is in El Paso County's jail, authorities hope to learn the motive for Gannon's death and find his body.

Michael Allen, who will prosecute the case for the District Attorney's Office, said he's confident the absence of a body will hamper his prosecution.

"We've been successful in prosecuting (such) homicides," he said, "and still bring justice for the victim. There are particular challenges involved, but they're not insurmountable."

More on this story:

Gannon Stauch’s stepmother arrested for murder

Stepmom gives statement to Denver media; search for Gannon Stauch goes north

Colorado Springs youth hockey team wraps sticks in blue for Gannon Stauch

Sheriff’s Office receives over 400 tips by day 15 of Gannon Stauch search

Hundreds gather during candlelight vigil for Gannon Stauch

El Paso County: No ‘large’ search efforts for Gannon Stauch Friday

Private investigator breaks down Gannon Stauch case

Surveillance video may show Gannon Stauch leaving with stepmom

Authorities say Gannon Stauch ‘missing and endangered’ after days gone

