Perry, Iowa — A 20-year-old daycare employee has been charged with first-degree murder after police say she secretly gave birth inside a childcare center bathroom, allegedly injured the newborn and placed the baby’s body in a trash bag before attempting to return to work.
Stephanie Ubaldo was taken into custody Thursday in connection with the death of her newborn daughter, authorities announced. The investigation began earlier in the week after emergency responders were called to the daycare for a report of a woman experiencing significant vaginal bleeding.
Emergency Call Leads Police to Daycare
Dallas County Emergency Medical Services responded to Acorns & Oaks Child Care at about 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, according to the Des Moines Register.
The childcare facility is located on the Perry Lutheran Homes Eden Acres campus in the 1300 block of 28th Street.
Emergency medical personnel found Ubaldo experiencing vaginal bleeding and transported her to a local hospital for treatment.
Investigators would soon learn that the medical emergency was connected to a newborn who had been delivered inside the daycare.
Just before 6:30 p.m., police were notified that an infant might be inside a garbage bin at the childcare facility.
Officers responded to the location and discovered the body of a dead baby girl inside a trash bag, according to police.
Investigators Allege Baby Was Injured After Birth
Court documents state that Ubaldo had been pregnant for months but allegedly did not tell anyone she was pregnant.
Investigators allege that she gave birth to the baby inside a bathroom at the daycare before intentionally injuring the newborn.
According to the criminal complaint cited by KCCI, prosecutors wrote:
“[Ubaldo] intentionally caused injuries to the baby’s face in an effort to stop the baby from crying,”
Authorities allege that Ubaldo then placed the infant in a trash bag and discarded the body inside the daycare.
The allegations remain part of the criminal case, and the charge against Ubaldo is an accusation. She is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Police Say She Tried to Return to Work
One of the most unusual elements of the investigation involves what happened after the alleged birth.
According to investigators, Ubaldo attempted to return to work after giving birth. However, she continued experiencing significant bleeding, prompting daycare staff to seek emergency medical assistance.
The subsequent discovery of the newborn led police to launch a homicide investigation.
An autopsy conducted by the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office found that the infant had been between 32 and 36 weeks’ gestation. The examination also documented multiple injuries and abrasions on the newborn’s body.
The medical examiner ultimately determined that the baby’s manner of death was homicide.
Police Highlight Iowa’s Safe Haven Law
Following Ubaldo’s arrest, Perry Police Chief James Archer highlighted resources available to people experiencing crisis pregnancies.
Iowa’s Safe Haven law allows parents or other authorized individuals to surrender an infant up to 90 days old at designated locations without prosecution for abandonment.
Archer noted that designated locations in Perry include Dallas County Hospital and Clinic as well as nursing home facilities.
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The chief also emphasized that people facing difficult or unexpected pregnancies can seek assistance rather than attempting to handle a crisis alone.
“There are numerous crisis pregnancy centers throughout the state of Iowa and resources available to those in need,” the chief said in a statement. “We strongly encourage those in a crisis pregnancy to reach out, people are available to assist you, you are not alone.”
Ubaldo Remains Held Without Bail
Ubaldo was transported to the Dallas County Jail, where authorities said she remains held without bail.
It was not immediately clear when she was scheduled to make her first court appearance.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue examining the circumstances surrounding the newborn’s death and the events inside the daycare.
What are your thoughts on this case and the resources available to people facing a crisis pregnancy? Share your thoughts in the comments.