An Iowa woman who admitted to killing her newborn son and leaving him in a ditch with her father’s help will soon learn her punishment. Megan K. Staude, 28, pleaded guilty in July to second-degree murder in a deal with prosecutors. She now faces up to 50 years in prison when sentenced on September 22.
Her father, 67-year-old Rodney Staude, remains charged with first-degree murder. His trial is set to begin October 15, following a recent ruling that found him competent to stand trial after earlier concerns.
How the Case Began
The case unfolded on March 8, 2023, when Norwalk police received a call from someone concerned about a missing child. The next day, investigators discovered the infant’s body along a snowy road in Warren County.
Authorities determined Megan had given birth in late February 2023. Instead of caring for her newborn, prosecutors say she placed the baby in a box and ignored his cries for two days.
Tragically, the child was still alive when Megan and Rodney allegedly put him into a trash bag and left him in a ditch.
Discovery and Community Shock
A cadaver dog named Montana with Iowa SAR K9 helped officers locate the baby, who was found covered in snow.
Co-workers of Megan Staude were the first to raise suspicions, noticing that she was no longer pregnant and questioning what had happened to her baby. One neighbor described the news as shocking, though not surprising, citing the family’s “weird vibe.”
The home where Megan gave birth was later deemed unsafe to live in.
Police Response and Safe Haven Law Reminder
Norwalk Police Chief Greg Staples called the case both “difficult” and “emotional” for investigators.
“Luckily justice is being served for the baby who didn’t have any say-so in what happened to him,” Staples said.
He stressed the importance of Iowa’s Safe Haven law, which allows parents to safely and legally leave newborns at hospitals or other designated facilities without facing criminal charges.
“It is a shame that because the Safe Haven laws weren’t used in this case, we have the death of a newborn and two people in jail charged with the most serious crime there is,” Staples said.
What’s Next in Court
Megan Staude: Sentencing scheduled for September 22; faces up to 50 years in prison.
Rodney Staude: Pre-trial hearing September 22; trial set for October 15 on first-degree murder charges.
The heartbreaking case of Megan and Rodney Staude has left a community stunned and grieving for a newborn who never had a chance at life. Authorities hope that by highlighting Iowa’s Safe Haven law, others in crisis may choose a safer path, ensuring babies are placed in caring hands instead of being abandoned.
