Kearney man arrested on multiple felony charges, including child strangulation

Raymond Howell was arrested Tuesday, and is accused of five felonies including strangling an 11-year-old.

August 27, 2025Updated: August 27, 2025
News Channel NebraskaBy News Channel Nebraska

KEARNEY, Neb. - Court records are revealing more information about Tuesday's arrest in Kearney where a man is accused of five felonies including strangling an 11-year-old.

Police in Kearney arrested a 30-year-old man yesterday, with court documents identifying him as Raymond Howell, who was taken into custody around 8:45 a.m. at a mobile home park.

Howell faces charges of felony strangulation, two counts of felony child abuse, terroristic threats and cruelty to animals, according to court records.

Charging documents say Howell is accused of strangling a child in April 2024, when the victim was 11 years old.

Additional details about the case have been sealed by the court.

Kearney's newly sworn-in Police Chief Gabe Kowalek commended the officers for how they handled the situation, saying  "We had a SWAT call-out for a high-risk warrant. They took care of business and put a guy in custody without any force because they're trained professionals. They work together, and they rose to the occasion to do what needed to be done."

Howell is currently being held in the Buffalo County Detention Center, with a court hearing pending.

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