Norwalk, IA – An Iowa woman is set to be sentenced next week for the death of her newborn after allegedly ignoring the baby’s cries for two days and discarding him in a trash bag along a snowy road. The case has also implicated her father, who remains charged in connection to the incident.
Megan Staude Pleads Guilty, Sentencing Set
Megan K. Staude, 28, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in July as part of a deal with prosecutors. She was initially facing first-degree murder charges. Court records show that she is now facing 50 years in prison when sentenced on Sept. 22, 2025.
Her father, Rodney Staude, 67, still faces first-degree murder charges. He has a court appearance on Sept. 22, with a potential trial date scheduled for Oct. 15. Last year, questions about his competency to stand trial arose, but he was ruled competent in August 2025, according to local NBC affiliate WHO.
Timeline of the Tragic Case
The investigation began on March 8, 2023, when the Norwalk Police Department received a call expressing concern for a child’s safety. The following day, authorities recovered the deceased newborn along a snowy road on the 5300 block of Delaware Street in Warren County.
Investigators determined that Megan Staude gave birth in late February 2023, placed the baby in a box, and ignored his cries for two days. The Staudes then allegedly placed the infant in a trash bag while he was still alive, discarding him in a roadside ditch.
Community and Workplace Reactions
Staude’s co-workers raised concerns after noticing she was no longer pregnant. Neighbors expressed shock at the incident, though some noted unusual behavior.
“Honestly, I was pretty appalled. Not really surprised though, just cause the vibe they gave,” said Chris Hentschel, a neighbor. “They were kinda weird.”
Authorities also reported that the residence where Staude gave birth was “unsafe to occupy.”
Alleged Role of Rodney Staude
Investigators allege that Rodney Staude assisted his daughter in abandoning the infant, rather than bringing him to a Safe Haven, as permitted under Iowa law.
The Safe Haven Act allows parents or authorized individuals to leave an infant up to 90 days old at a hospital, health care facility, or with a first responder without fear of prosecution for abandonment. Since the law’s enactment in 2002, more than 50 children in Iowa have been safely relinquished under this program.
Safe Haven Law Explained
Authorities stressed the importance of the law:
- Institutional health facilities include hospitals or residential health care facilities operating 24/7.
- First responders include emergency medical providers, registered nurses, physician assistants, firefighters, and peace officers.
Police Chief Greg Staples called the investigation “difficult and emotional” for all involved, crediting officers and a cadaver dog named Montana from Iowa SAR K9, who discovered the baby covered in snow.
“Safe Haven laws are there for a reason,” Staples said. “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 that there is.”
Police Message and Community Warning
Chief Staples emphasized the broader lesson from the tragedy, hoping the story serves as a warning:
“If there’s one thing that’s good that comes out of this investigation, it’s that someone pregnant out there will see this story and their baby will have a life to live unlike this baby.”
What’s Next: Megan Staude will be sentenced on Sept. 22, and Rodney Staude’s trial may follow after Oct. 15. Both cases remain under the close watch of local authorities and the community.
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