IA IA - Newborn Kayleen Blaha, still missing, drowned by parents Brandon Thoma and Taylor Blaha to hide meth in child's system - 12/11/22 *2 guilty*

[Bishop Black]

Iowa Couple Allegedly Drowned Newborn in Bathtub out of Fear Police Would Learn About Drug Use: Police

Brandon Thoma, 31, and Taylor Blaha, 24, both of Fort Dodge, have been charged with first-degree murder in the death of their baby girl

people.com

An Iowa couple was arrested and charged in connection with drowning their newborn in a bathtub because they were afraid their other child would be removed from their care if police learned that the infant had "methamphetamine in her system," authorities said in court documents obtained by WHO13.

Brandon Thoma, 31, and Taylor Blaha, 24, both of Fort Dodge, Iowa, have been charged with first degree murder in the death of their baby girl, the Fort Dodge Police Department announced in a Dec. 8 news release. Thoma is also charged with abuse of a corpse. The baby's remains have still not been found.

An investigation began on Nov. 22 when police received a tip from an Iowa Department of Human Services worker who claimed Blaha told her at a hospital that she gave birth to a baby girl at her home, and that she had been buried at an unspecified location, according to a criminal complaint.

She said the baby, who was named Kayleen Lee Blaha, was born "alive, crying, moving its arms and legs, and opening her eyes," according to the complaint.

Then, Blaha allegedly asked for and was given methamphetamine by Thoma "to help her ease the pains associated with the birth."

They were concerned that methamphetamine was in the newborn's system and expected law enforcement to be called if any neighbors heard the baby crying, according to complaint.

The complaint claims that to stop her wails, Blaha told the detective that they then "placed Kayleen in the bathtub, which was about half full of water, and placed both of their hands on the baby's chest, forcing her underwater, ultimately killing her."

 

[Laughing]

oh, Auntie Laughing is steamed at you two!

RIP, Kayleen, peace & comfort to everyone who loves you!

image from etsy.com

 

[borndem]

I would say, "unbelievable," but we know that it is not.

At least the "parents" are in custody and charged with 1st Degree Murder. No D.P. in Iowa. Here is Iowa law re 1st Degree Murder:
---------------------------------------------------------

First-Degree Murder​

First-degree murder is defined in many ways; one of the most common definitions is that a person willfully, deliberately, and with premeditation kills another person. Generally speaking, this means someone makes a plan to kill someone.
Under Iowa law, there is no certain amount of time that needs to accrue in regard to “plan making” or premeditation before one can be found guilty of first-degree murder. In other words, a person can make a plan in a matter of minutes or seconds to kill someone.
[...]
The penalty for first-degree murder in Iowa – a class A felony – is life in prison without the possibility of parole. [ italics mine)
-------------------------------------
More here:

Des Moines Murder Defense Lawyer | Feld Law Firm

If you are facing murder charges in any degree, retain Feld Law Firm for aggressive and effective representation in Polk County. Call now for a free consultation.

www.iowacrimelawyer.com

 

[YaYa_521]

Rest in peace, Baby Kayleen.

The baby's remains have still not been found.

RSBM
Moving thread over to Missing Persons Discussion forum.

Search for Baby Kayleen Continues After Parents Admit to Drowning Her in Bathtub

Authorities continue searching for an Iowa newborn who was allegedly drowned by her parents and then discarded in garbage bags, the Des Moines Register reports. On Wednesday, police arrested the child’s mother and father, 24-year-old Taylor K. Blaha and 31-year-old Brandon D. Thoma, who are in...

www.crimeonline.com

SBM
But the couple reportedly did not want the baby and were concerned that neighbors would call the police and discover methamphetamine in the apartment, which the couple feared would cause them to lose custody of their 2-year-old son.

Iowa Parents Drown Baby Daughter in Tub Moments After Birth to Prevent Police from Finding Meth in Her System: Police

A 31-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman in Iowa are behind bars this week for allegedly drowning their baby in a bathtub just moments after the child's birth.

lawandcrime.com

SBM
She told the detective that they had “no intentions” of keeping the child and were planning to let Blaha’s sister adopt the girl. She added that Thoma severed the umbilical cord with a pair of scissors and cut “sections of the cord to be kept to remember the baby.”
#

Pure evil! Let 'em rot. MOO

 

[Stunned]

There are no words for these two. They should have never had custody of the two year old.

 

[cvaldez1975]

Iowa Couple Allegedly Drowned Newborn in Bathtub out of Fear Police Would Learn About Drug Use: Police

Brandon Thoma, 31, and Taylor Blaha, 24, both of Fort Dodge, have been charged with first-degree murder in the death of their baby girl

people.com

An Iowa couple was arrested and charged in connection with drowning their newborn in a bathtub because they were afraid their other child would be removed from their care if police learned that the infant had "methamphetamine in her system," authorities said in court documents obtained by WHO13.

Brandon Thoma, 31, and Taylor Blaha, 24, both of Fort Dodge, Iowa, have been charged with first degree murder in the death of their baby girl, the Fort Dodge Police Department announced in a Dec. 8 news release. Thoma is also charged with abuse of a corpse. The baby's remains have still not been found.

An investigation began on Nov. 22 when police received a tip from an Iowa Department of Human Services worker who claimed Blaha told her at a hospital that she gave birth to a baby girl at her home, and that she had been buried at an unspecified location, according to a criminal complaint.

She said the baby, who was named Kayleen Lee Blaha, was born "alive, crying, moving its arms and legs, and opening her eyes," according to the complaint.

Then, Blaha allegedly asked for and was given methamphetamine by Thoma "to help her ease the pains associated with the birth."

They were concerned that methamphetamine was in the newborn's system and expected law enforcement to be called if any neighbors heard the baby crying, according to complaint.

The complaint claims that to stop her wails, Blaha told the detective that they then "placed Kayleen in the bathtub, which was about half full of water, and placed both of their hands on the baby's chest, forcing her underwater, ultimately killing her."

WTAF? like why not have an abortion, jfc.....

 

[_Jez_]

WTAF? like why not have an abortion, jfc.....

Exactly! Prime reason why abortion should be legal and birth control should be taught and topics of sex should not be taboo. As far as abortion.. I t’s still possible, but depending on your state, it’s a maze that may involve traveling out of state.. And looking at these folks, they don’t have the education or wherewithal to make the right decisions. Ridiculous times..

Can we start a non-profit that provides vasectomies? Like “get a free vasectomy and get paid $1000 bucks?” Or something like that. Put up ads about how women are turned on if you have a vasectomy. Seriously!

 

[Linear13]

The thought patterns of the meth junkie…one could write a thesis on it. ‘We were afraid we would lose custody of one child’ which would have required them to get clean enough to get custody back and show a little incentive BUT in the mind of the meth head MURDER is the better option. If they get caught with a meth addicted newborn they might lose custody and have to jump through a few hoops to prove to the state they want the children (which obviously they didn’t). So they decide to murder the newborn and what? Hope no one would notice! Hope that all the people who knew she was pregnant would just forget. Now they will turn on each other like rabid dogs. These people should have never had custody of the 2 year old to begin with. The child loses its parents and a sister. We have a fundamentally broken system in this country.

 

[iamshadow21]

My opinion only, but they put that baby in the trash. Check all the dumpsters.

I only hope, as horrible as it is to say, that they actually did drown her first, and didn't put her in the bin alive.

What a horrific waste of a life, one that had the potential to be full and beautiful, despite the start she had.

I'm so sorry, Kayleen.

 

[MissMalowe]

What monsters! If they planned on having a family member keep the baby, why not just go ahead with that plan, even if informally for some undetermined amount of time?

At least their other child is probably never going to be in their custody ever again. Can you imagine what that child's life has been like up to this point?

 

[modesty blaise]

Worst than animals! No words.

 

[moonriverfarm]

These people have broken souls.

 

[tarabull]

...& black hearts.

 

[LuckyJ]

I just can't fathom how far down you must actually be to take something so innocent and dependent to abuse, harm, and murder. But what I also can't understand is- do these people truly believe they are just going to get away with it? Jeez

 

[MissMalowe]

Court update for the "mother" Taylor Blaha

Blaha’s murder trial will be delayed, judge denies competency evaluation

 

[JerseyGirl]

Murder trial set for Fort Dodge mom accused of drowning newborn in bathtub

FORT DODGE, Iowa – The murder trial of a Fort Dodge mother accused of drowning her newborn baby in the bathtub has been scheduled for September. Taylor Blaha and Brandon Thoma (WHO 13) Taylor Blaha…

who13.com

On Monday, a trial date of September 12 was set for Blaha.

Thoma is being tried separately. His trial is scheduled to begin on August 8.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Murder trial set for Iowa mom accused of drowning newborn in bathtub

The murder trial of a Fort Dodge mother accused of drowning her newborn baby in the bathtub has been scheduled for September.

www.wane.com

 

[Niner]

Just found this thread - just horrible... Poor baby girl.

I can only find a case open for Blaha - and here is the full court site items files so far.

for Blaha:

Event Filed By Filed Create Date Last Updated Action Date
ORDER SETTING TRIAL 02/27/2023 02/28/2023 02/28/2023
Comments: JURY TRIAL 9/12/23 9AM CTHSE

OTHER ORDER MOORE AMY M 02/13/2023 02/13/2023 02/13/2023
Comments: THE PARTIES SHALL FILE THE SAMPLE â¿¿REPORT OF PRETRIAL
CONFERENCE"

ORDER FOR TRIAL SCHEDULING CONFERENCE 02/09/2023 02/09/2023 02/09/2023

ORDER DIRECTING CT. ADMIN. TO SET TRIAL DATE POLKING CHRISTOPHER C 02/06/2023 02/07/2023 02/07/2023
WAIVER OF SPEEDY TRIAL KENVILLE CHARLES J 02/03/2023 02/03/2023 02/03/2023
Comments: BY DEFENDANT'S ATTORNEY

WAIVER OF SPEEDY TRIAL KENVILLE CHARLES J 02/03/2023 02/03/2023 02/03/2023
Comments: BY DEFENDANT

OTHER ORDER POLKING CHRISTOPHER C 02/03/2023 02/03/2023 02/03/2023
Comments: MOTION FOR A COMPETENCY EVALUATION IS DENIED.

COURT REPORTER MEMORANDUM AND CERTIFICATE - WITH FEE POLKING CHRISTOPHER C 02/03/2023 02/03/2023 02/03/2023

OTHER ORDER POLKING CHRISTOPHER C 01/27/2023 01/27/2023 01/27/2023
Comments: FOR NEW COUNSEL IS DENIED AND A HEARING IS SET 2/3/23 AT
9:00

COURT REPORTER MEMORANDUM AND CERTIFICATE - WITH FEE POLKING CHRISTOPHER C 01/27/2023 01/27/2023
01/27/2023
Comments: POLKING/LINDGREN MOTION

OTHER ORDER POLKING CHRISTOPHER C 01/23/2023 01/23/2023 01/23/2023
Comments: RE: EXPANDED MEDIA COVERAGE

ORDER SETTING HEARING POLKING CHRISTOPHER C 01/18/2023 01/18/2023 01/18/2023
Comments: HEARING 01/27/2023 09:00 AM CT2.

OTHER EVENT BLAHA TAYLOR KAY 01/17/2023 01/17/2023 01/17/2023
Comments: DEFENDANT FILING

APP FOR COUNSEL/FINANCIAL STATEMENT BLAHA TAYLOR KAY 01/17/2023 01/17/2023 01/17/2023

ORDER OF ARRAIGNMENT POLKING CHRISTOPHER C 01/03/2023 01/03/2023 01/03/2023
Comments: PRETRIAL CONFERENCE 02/20/2023 01:00 PM CT2.

OTHER ORDER POLKING CHRISTOPHER C 01/03/2023 01/03/2023 01/03/2023
Comments: GOVERNING PRETRIAL CONFERENCE

WRITTEN ARRAIGNMENT AND PLEA OF NOT GUILTY KENVILLE CHARLES J 01/03/2023 01/03/2023 01/03/2023
APPEARANCE HAMMERAND DOUGLAS DELBERT 12/16/2022 12/16/2022 12/16/2022

OTHER ORDER KESTER ADRIA A. 12/15/2022 12/15/2022 12/15/2022
Comments: JUDGE CHRISTOPHER POLKING ASSIGNED

ORDER FOR ARRAIGNMENT DOYLE ANGELA L. 12/15/2022 12/15/2022 12/15/2022
Comments: ARRAIGNMENT 01/03/2023 01:00 PM CT2.

MINUTES OF TESTIMONY DOYLE ANGELA L. 12/15/2022 12/15/2022 12/15/2022

TRIAL INFORMATION DOYLE ANGELA L. 12/15/2022 12/15/2022 12/15/2022

NOTICE KENVILLE CHARLES J 12/14/2022 12/14/2022 12/14/2022
Comments: INVOCATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS

MEDIA COORDINATOR'S NOTICE WINGERT KELBY 12/08/2022 12/09/2022 12/09/2022

APPEARANCE WALLWEY DIANNE RENAY 12/08/2022 12/08/2022 12/08/2022

APPEARANCE KENVILLE CHARLES J 12/08/2022 12/08/2022 12/08/2022 Comments: AND REQUEST FOR MANDATORY DISCOVERY

HEARING FOR INITIAL APPEARANCE HABHAB WILLIAM H. 12/08/2022 12/08/2022 12/08/2022
Comments: MASON CITY PDO APPOINTED, PRE HRG 12/15/2022 02:00 PM MAG.

APP FOR COUNSEL/FINANCIAL STATEMENT BLAHA TAYLOR KAY 12/08/2022 12/08/2022 12/08/2022

WARRANT SERVED WEBSTER COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE 12/07/2022 12/08/2022 12/08/2022

ARREST WARRANT BLAHA TAYLOR KAY 12/07/2022 12/07/2022 12/08/2022
Comments: $1,000,000 CASH BOND

CRIMINAL COMPLAINT BALDRIDGE RYAN 12/07/2022 12/07/2022 12/07/2022

link: https://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/ESAWebApp/TIndexFrm

If anyone can find Thoma's case - it would be appreciated. All I found under him are the search warrants listed.

 

[Niner]

Oops - my mistake - must have missed it the first time.

For Thoma:

Event Filed By Filed Create Date Last Updated Action Date
OTHER ORDER STOEBE KURT J. 02/08/2023 02/08/2023 02/08/2023
Comments: DEFENDANT SHALL HAVE UNTIL 6/12/23 TO COMPLETE DISCOVERY

MOTION WOLF MICHELLE KRESTINE 02/07/2023 02/07/2023 02/07/2023
Comments: TO EXTEND DEADLINES

OTHER ORDER STOEBE KURT J. 01/24/2023 01/24/2023 01/24/2023
Comments: RE: REQUEST FOR EXPANDED MEDIA COVERAGE

WAIVER OF SPEEDY TRIAL WOLF MICHELLE KRESTINE 01/23/2023 01/23/2023 01/23/2023

ORDER SETTING TRIAL 01/19/2023 01/19/2023 01/19/2023
Comments: 8/8/2023 9AM CTHSE

OTHER ORDER STOEBE KURT J. 01/17/2023 01/17/2023 01/17/2023
Comments: 1/17/23 HEARING IS CANCELLED

OTHER EVENT BALDRIDGE RYAN 01/13/2023 01/13/2023 01/13/2023
Comments: RESPONSE TO DEFENDANT'S MOTION TO COMPEL

ORDER FOR TRIAL SCHEDULING CONFERENCE 01/05/2023 01/05/2023 01/05/2023

ORDER SETTING HEARING STOEBE KURT J. 01/03/2023 01/04/2023 01/04/2023
Comments: ON MOTION -1/17/23 AT 2:00

OTHER ORDER STOEBE KURT J. 01/03/2023 01/03/2023 01/03/2023
Comments: TO SCHEDULE TRIAL SCHEDULING CONFERENCE

OTHER ORDER STOEBE KURT J. 01/03/2023 01/03/2023 01/03/2023
Comments: TO SEAL MOTION

MOTION TO COMPEL WOLF MICHELLE KRESTINE 01/03/2023 01/03/2023 01/03/2023

WRITTEN ARRAIGNMENT AND PLEA OF NOT GUILTY WOLF MICHELLE KRESTINE 01/03/2023 01/03/2023 01/03/2023
MOTION WOLF MICHELLE KRESTINE 12/29/2022 12/29/2022 12/29/2022
Comments: TO SEAL MOTION

MOTION FOR DISCOVERY WOLF MICHELLE KRESTINE 12/20/2022 12/20/2022 12/20/2022
Comments: (DISCRETIONARY)

APPEARANCE HAMMERAND DOUGLAS DELBERT 12/16/2022 12/16/2022 12/16/2022

OTHER ORDER KESTER ADRIA A. 12/15/2022 12/15/2022 12/15/2022
Comments: JUDGE KURT STOEBE ASSIGNED TO CASE

ORDER FOR ARRAIGNMENT DOYLE ANGELA L. 12/15/2022 12/15/2022 12/15/2022
Comments: ARRAIGNMENT 01/03/2023 01:00 PM CT2.
MINUTES OF TESTIMONY DOYLE ANGELA L. 12/15/2022 12/15/2022 12/15/2022
TRIAL INFORMATION DOYLE ANGELA L. 12/15/2022 12/15/2022 12/15/2022

NOTICE WOLF MICHELLE KRESTINE 12/09/2022 12/09/2022 12/09/2022
Comments: INTENT TO ASSERT CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS

APPEARANCE WOLF MICHELLE KRESTINE 12/09/2022 12/09/2022 12/09/2022
Comments: MOTION FOR MANDATORY DISCOVERY

MEDIA COORDINATOR'S NOTICE WINGERT KELBY 12/08/2022 12/09/2022 12/09/2022

HEARING FOR INITIAL APPEARANCE HABHAB WILLIAM H. 12/08/2022 12/08/2022 12/08/2022
Comments: STORY COUNTY PDO APPOINTED, PRE HRG 12/15/2022 02:00 PM MAG.

APP FOR COUNSEL/FINANCIAL STATEMENT THOMA BRANDON DAVID 12/08/2022 12/08/2022 12/08/2022

WARRANT SERVED FORT DODGE POLICE DEPARTMENT 12/07/2022 12/08/2022 12/08/2022

ARREST WARRANT THOMA BRANDON DAVID 12/07/2022 12/07/2022 12/08/2022
Comments: $1,000,000 + $50,000 CASH BOND

CRIMINAL COMPLAINT BALDRIDGE RYAN 12/07/2022 12/07/2022 12/07/2022


link: https://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/ESAWebApp/TIndexFrm

 

[Niner]

So - I see no further hearings for either of them.

Last hearing for Blaha was 2/3/23 & for Thoma from what I gather was 1/3/23 for his arraignment.

I shall keep an eye for further updates.

edited to add - I can not see why they plead not guilty when she confessed to drowning the little baby.... ??