Perry woman, 20, charged with first-degree murder after newborn found dead at childcare centre

Stephanie Ubaldo, 20, was arrested Thursday in Perry, Iowa, on a first-degree murder charge linked to the death of her newborn. The infant was found at a local childcare centre.

Perry, Iowa: 20-year-old faces murder charge over newborn's death at childcare centre

A 20-year-old woman from Perry, Iowa, has been charged with first-degree murder following the death of a newborn discovered at a local childcare centre, kcci.com reports.

Perry police identified the suspect as Stephanie Ubaldo, who was arrested Thursday as part of an ongoing investigation into the infant's death. Authorities allege Ubaldo killed her own child.

Ubaldo was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Dallas County Jail, where she remained as of Thursday. The case will be prosecuted by the Dallas County Attorney's Office. A criminal charge is an accusation; Ubaldo is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

The arrest followed an investigation launched earlier this week by Perry police in conjunction with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Police said the inquiry is continuing and asked anyone with relevant information to contact the Perry Police Department at 515-465-4636.

In connection with the case, authorities highlighted Iowa's Safe Haven law, which permits parents or authorised individuals to surrender an infant up to 90 days old at designated locations without risk of prosecution for abandonment. Eligible sites include hospitals, certain healthcare facilities, staffed fire stations, adoption service providers and approved newborn safety devices. In Perry, designated locations include Dallas County Hospital and Clinic and local nursing home facilities.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)