Keokuk, Iowa – Authorities in southeastern Iowa have charged a 28-year-old mother after her infant son was found unresponsive inside a trash can, an incident investigators say occurred while she was “passed out” under the influence of drugs.
Incident Overview
According to a criminal complaint filed in Lee County, the case dates back to January 27, 2025, when Jaley Bush, 28, was visiting a friend at a home on Hickory Terrace in Keokuk. She had brought along her infant son, identified in documents as R.S. The pair reportedly fell asleep together on a bed in the home’s basement bedroom.
Bush later told officers that she awoke to a horrifying discovery. As stated in the complaint, she found her child “head first and unresponsive inside of a trash can next to the bed.” She claimed the baby had been lying “on the inside portion of the bed” and believed he “must have crawled over or around her before falling into the trash can.”
Police Response and Signs of Drug Influence
Officers from the Keokuk Police Department responded around 2 p.m. They initiated lifesaving measures while speaking with Bush, who, according to investigators, showed visible signs of impairment, including slurred speech and a stoic demeanor. Both mother and child were taken to the hospital, where Bush recounted the events leading up to the emergency.
Details on Substance Use
Bush admitted she had taken Klonopin, a prescription sedative, before falling asleep. The complaint states she “did not know whom the pills belonged to.” Authorities obtained a search warrant the following day for a blood sample, which tested positive for methamphetamine and benzodiazepines, the drug class that includes Klonopin.
Bush told investigators she had not consumed any substances after first responders arrived.
Infant’s Cause of Death
The infant, R.S., was pronounced dead on February 5, with the medical examiner ruling the cause of death as asphyxia, meaning the child died due to lack of oxygen. The complaint alleges the circumstances leading to the child’s death were directly tied to Bush’s impairment and negligence.
Charges and Court Appearance
Bush has been charged with child endangerment resulting in death, a felony under Iowa law. She appeared in court this week to face the charge. The case highlights the severe dangers associated with impaired caregiving and unsafe sleep environments, an issue child-safety experts continue to warn about.
Geographic Context
Keokuk, located in southeastern Iowa near the Missouri and Illinois borders, is a small river community where such tragic incidents are rare but deeply felt.
Community and Safety Context
Safe-sleep advocates emphasize that infants should always be placed on firm, flat surfaces free of pillows, blankets, or objects that could obstruct breathing. Impaired caregivers also significantly increase risks of accidental suffocation, falls, or other life-threatening hazards.
Conclusion
As the investigation continues, prosecutors argue the child’s death was preventable and stemmed from the mother’s drug use and failure to provide a safe sleep environment. The case has drawn attention across Iowa for its devastating circumstances and the heartbreaking loss of an infant.
Share your thoughts or experiences related to child safety and impaired caregiving in the comments below.
