IA - Toddler drowns in bathtub while mother is asleep - December 7, 2024

[Niner]

Looks like she got arraignment at the jail.

Filings
Title: STATE VS KAYLA MARIE BEVAR
Case: 05771 FECR386641 (POLK)
Citation Number:

Docket # Event Filed By Filed Create Date Last Updated Action Date
D0026 ORDER FOR CONTINUANCE TURNER TABITHA 01/22/2025 01/23/2025 01/23/2025
Comments: ARRAIGNMENT 01/23/2025 10:30 AM IN JAIL COURT.

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

 

[Niner]

Thursday, January 23rd:
*Arraignment Hearing (@ 10:30am CT) – IA - Waylon (20 mos.) found in bathtub unresponsive & drowned on Oct 31, 2024 in West Des Moines. - *Kayla Marie Bevar (21) arrested (11/13/24) & charged (11/15/24) with child endangerment-death & neglect or abandonment of dependent person. $1M CASH bond. Polk County
Judge Becky S. Goettsch. Defense attorney Andrew Darren Petrovich & Jennifer Larson.
Case & Court info from 10/31/24 thru 1/16/25 reference post #14 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...hile-mother-is-asleep-december-7-2024.731224/
1/21/25 Docket update: [D0023] Other Order. Re Bond review; the release conditions previously imposed shall stand. Sent to defendant c/o Polk County jail. Next arraignment hearing on 1/22/25 @ 8:30am. 1/21/25 Docket update: [D0024] Motion to produce filed by Andrew Petrovich.
1/22/25 Docket update: [D0025] Other Order-ruling on Discovery Motion filed b Tabitha Turner. 1/22/25 Docket update: [D0026] Order for continuance filed by Tabitha Turner. Arraignment hearing on 1/23/25 @ 10:30am in jail court.

 

[Gemmie]

3 kids at 21..... has she bothered taking a parenting class or baby safety class since this tragedy? Routinely leaving a 1 year old in the bath 5 mins at a time?

Sounds like she should "bother" to find out how to get birth control/tubes tied IMO. Both would be WAY cheaper than raising 3 (or more) kids IMO!!!!

 

[Niner]

Filings
Title: STATE VS KAYLA MARIE BEVAR
Case: 05771 FECR386641 (POLK)
Citation Number:
Docket # Event Filed By Filed Create Date Last Updated Action Date
D0027 ORDER FOR CONTINUANCE TURNER TABITHA 01/23/2025 01/23/2025 01/23/2025
Comments: ARRAIGNMENT 01/30/2025 08:30 AM DCC1.
PCJ BOOKING, FEL CC

D0026 ORDER FOR CONTINUANCE TURNER TABITHA 01/22/2025 01/23/2025 01/23/2025
Comments: ARRAIGNMENT 01/23/2025 10:30 AM IN JAIL COURT.

link: Iowa Courts Online Search - Select Action

 

[Deleted member 19575]

She has a zillion facebook profiles. Looks like she has one child slightly older than this bubba that drowned and she’s currently pregnant.

totally irresponsible!

 

[Deleted member 19575]

Sounds like she should "bother" to find out how to get birth control/tubes tied IMO. Both would be WAY cheaper than raising 3 (or more) kids IMO!!!!

So often, it's "Young mom" with 3 or more kids before 25. It's not like it's that hard to find a condom. It's not hard to use one either. A few years back there was a huge series for the Denver Post, about kids who were neglected to death by parents just like this...mostly teenagers or 20somethings more interested in partying or drinking etc.
Most child deaths by caregivers don't involve physical abuse, it's like 75% neglect. Most kids end up in youth protection because they're neglected. It was a few years ago, but I remember the series won a Pulitzer.

 

[Niner]

Thursday, January 30th:
*Arraignment Hearing (@ 8:30am CT) – IA - Waylon (20 mos.) found in bathtub unresponsive & drowned on Oct 31, 2024 in West Des Moines. - *Kayla Marie Bevar (21) arrested (11/13/24) & charged (11/15/24) with child endangerment-death & neglect or abandonment of dependent person. $1M CASH bond. Polk County
Judge Becky S. Goettsch. Defense attorney Andrew Darren Petrovich & Jennifer Larson.
Case & Court info from 10/31/24 thru 1/21/25 reference post #22 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...other-is-asleep-december-7-2024.731224/page-2
1/22/25 Docket update: [D0025] Other Order-ruling on Discovery Motion filed b Tabitha Turner. 1/22/25 Docket update: [D0026] Order for continuance filed by Tabitha Turner. Arraignment hearing on 1/23/25 @ 10:30am in jail court.
1/23/25 Docket update: [D0027] Order for continuance filed by Tabitha Turner. Arraignment hearing now scheduled on 1/30/25 @ 8:30am.

 

[Soulmagent]

It’s not normal to fall asleep while actively running bath water to bathe your child, so I’m guessing drugs or alcohol are involved, in my opinion.

As a mom, i once fell asleep as my son had his teeth cleaned . in a dental office. Thankful my dentist wasn't a freak.
Not defending this mom but the sound of running water and being exhausted, could possibly lure a person to sleep. I have not done the background check on this mom ..so..I am looking at this like I would ,as if I was this mom..without the knowledge of how she live her life. She could be a show. IDK.

 

[Niner]

Filings
Title: STATE VS KAYLA MARIE BEVAR
Case: 05771 FECR386641 (POLK)
Citation Number:
Docket # Event Filed By Filed Create Date Last Updated Action Date
D0033 OTHER ORDER SCOTT PAUL 01/28/2025 01/28/2025 01/28/2025
Comments: RULING ON DISCOVERY MOTION.

D0034 ORDER OF ARRAIGNMENT PORTER DAVID MATTHEW 01/28/2025 01/28/2025 01/28/2025
Comments: PRETRIAL CONFERENCE 02/13/2025 09:45 AM ROOM 410. JURY TRIAL
03/10/2025 09:00 AM ROOM 410. BOND IS CONTINUED.

D0031 MOTION TO PRODUCE LARSON JENNIFER 01/28/2025 01/28/2025 01/28/2025

D0032 WRITTEN ARRAIGNMENT AND PLEA OF NOT GUILTY LARSON JENNIFER 01/28/2025 01/28/2025 01/28/2025
Comments: DEMAND OF SPEEDY TRIAL

D0029 RELEASE FROM CUSTODY DCS POLK PTR 01/25/2025 01/25/2025 01/25/2025
Comments: PRETRIAL RELEASE LEVEL 3

D0028 OTHER ORDER PORTER DAVID MATTHEW 01/24/2025 01/24/2025 01/24/2025
Comments: DEFENDANT PLACED ON PRETRIAL RELEASE LEVEL 3

D0030 MOTION FOR BOND REDUCTION LARSON JENNIFER 01/24/2025 01/27/2025 01/27/2025
Comments: WITH SECOND REQUEST FOR A HEARING

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

 

[Tower]

As a mom, i once fell asleep as my son had his teeth cleaned . in a dental office. Thankful my dentist wasn't a freak.
Not defending this mom but the sound of running water and being exhausted, could possibly lure a person to sleep. I have not done the background check on this mom ..so..I am looking at this like I would ,as if I was this mom..without the knowledge of how she live her life. She could be a show. IDK.

I’m a mom, too, and I think you being exhausted and drifting off while your son was in the capable care of an adult medical professional is a normal thing to do. Putting your tiny child into a bath and knowing you’re the only one in charge is so different, imo.

 

[MissMalowe]

As a mom, i once fell asleep as my son had his teeth cleaned . in a dental office. Thankful my dentist wasn't a freak.
Not defending this mom but the sound of running water and being exhausted, could possibly lure a person to sleep. I have not done the background check on this mom ..so..I am looking at this like I would ,as if I was this mom..without the knowledge of how she live her life. She could be a show. IDK.

The difference here is that this wasn't a one-off and there was no other adult watching him. This just happened to (sadly) be the time he died as a result of improper supervision during bathtime. From post #9 of this thread:

"She reportedly claimed that she checked on her son “periodically” while he was in the tub before she fell asleep. She later admitted to investigators that she “routinely and negligently” left her baby son in a filled bathtub for “five-minute increments, unattended.”

Parenting 101 and one of the few aspects of parenting that is universally agreed upon: you cannot leave a baby in a bathtub unattended for any length of time. Back in the "old days" of corded landline phones, parents were told not to leave a baby in a bath unattended to even answer the phone to tell the caller you would call them back which takes less than a minute. She admitted to regular 5 minute increments in a filled bathtub, that is WAY too long and is just the time period she was willing to admit to. My guess is it was probably common practice for her to leave him in there much longer or for the entirety of his bath.

 

[tlcya]

The difference here is that this wasn't a one-off and there was no other adult watching him. This just happened to (sadly) be the time he died as a result of improper supervision during bathtime. From post #9 of this thread:

"She reportedly claimed that she checked on her son “periodically” while he was in the tub before she fell asleep. She later admitted to investigators that she “routinely and negligently” left her baby son in a filled bathtub for “five-minute increments, unattended.”

Parenting 101 and one of the few aspects of parenting that is universally agreed upon: you cannot leave a baby in a bathtub unattended for any length of time. Back in the "old days" of corded landline phones, parents were told not to leave a baby in a bath unattended to even answer the phone to tell the caller you would call them back which takes less than a minute. She admitted to regular 5 minute increments in a filled bathtub, that is WAY too long and is just the time period she was willing to admit to. My guess is it was probably common practice for her to leave him in there much longer or for the entirety of his bath.

yeah, what she admitted was what she knew she was caught at, but I too suspect the time periods her toddler was regularly left in the bath unsupervised are quite a bit longer.

Many of us can related to an exhausted mom, nodding off because - hard work caring for small children. This was not that IMO. This was akin to the AZ stay at home dad who "forgot" his beautiful daughter in his car, except leaving her in the was a regular practice, and he knew the car would stop running after half an hour (RIP Parker Scholtes). This mother gets no pass from me. MOO

 

[Niner]

Thursday, February 13th:
*Pretrial Conference Hearing (@ 9:45am CT) – IA - Waylon (20 mos.) found in bathtub unresponsive & drowned on Oct 31, 2024 in West Des Moines. - *Kayla Marie Bevar (21) arrested (11/13/24), charged (11/15/24) & arraigned (1/30/25) with child endangerment-death & neglect or abandonment of dependent person. $1M CASH bond. Polk County
Trial set to begin on 3/10/25.
Judge David Mathew Porter. Prosecutor Paul Scott. Defense attorneys Andrew Darren Petrovich & Jennifer Larson.
Case & Court info from 10/31/24 thru 1/22/25 reference post #27 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...other-is-asleep-december-7-2024.731224/page-2
1/23/25 Docket update: [D0027] Order for continuance filed by Tabitha Turner. Arraignment hearing now scheduled on 1/30/25 @ 8:30am.
1/24/25 Docket updates: [D0030] Motion for bond reduction with 1nd request for a hearing filed by Jennifer Larson. [D0028] Other Order. Defendant placed on pretrial release level 3 by Judge David Porter. 1/25/25 Docket update: [D0029] Release from custody on pretrial release Level 3 by DCS Polk. 1/28/25 Docket updates: [D0032] Written arraignment & plea of not guilty entered & demand of speedy trial filed by Jennifer Larson. [D0031] Motion to produce filed by Jennifer Larson. [D0033] Other Order-Ruling on Discovery motion filed by Paul Scott. [D0034] Order of arraignment presiding by Judge David Porter. Next pretrial conference hearing on 2/13/25 @ 9:45am & jury trial on 3/10/25 @ 9am. Bond is continued.
2/7/25 Docket update: [D0035] Notice. Discovery Agreement filed by Joseph Seidln.

 

[Soulmagent]

Thursday, February 13th:
*Pretrial Conference Hearing (@ 9:45am CT) – IA - Waylon (20 mos.) found in bathtub unresponsive & drowned on Oct 31, 2024 in West Des Moines. - *Kayla Marie Bevar (21) arrested (11/13/24), charged (11/15/24) & arraigned (1/30/25) with child endangerment-death & neglect or abandonment of dependent person. $1M CASH bond. Polk County
Trial set to begin on 3/10/25.
Judge David Mathew Porter. Prosecutor Paul Scott. Defense attorneys Andrew Darren Petrovich & Jennifer Larson.
Case & Court info from 10/31/24 thru 1/22/25 reference post #27 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...other-is-asleep-december-7-2024.731224/page-2
1/23/25 Docket update: [D0027] Order for continuance filed by Tabitha Turner. Arraignment hearing now scheduled on 1/30/25 @ 8:30am.
1/24/25 Docket updates: [D0030] Motion for bond reduction with 1nd request for a hearing filed by Jennifer Larson. [D0028] Other Order. Defendant placed on pretrial release level 3 by Judge David Porter. 1/25/25 Docket update: [D0029] Release from custody on pretrial release Level 3 by DCS Polk. 1/28/25 Docket updates: [D0032] Written arraignment & plea of not guilty entered & demand of speedy trial filed by Jennifer Larson. [D0031] Motion to produce filed by Jennifer Larson. [D0033] Other Order-Ruling on Discovery motion filed by Paul Scott. [D0034] Order of arraignment presiding by Judge David Porter. Next pretrial conference hearing on 2/13/25 @ 9:45am & jury trial on 3/10/25 @ 9am. Bond is continued.
2/7/25 Docket update: [D0035] Notice. Discovery Agreement filed by Joseph Seidln.

This is today as well.
Niner, your are gonna be really busy updating us all next week!
I seriously admire how you do it all.

 

[Niner]

Filings
Title: STATE VS KAYLA MARIE BEVAR
Case: 05771 FECR386641 (POLK)
Citation Number:
Docket # Event Filed By Filed Create Date Last Updated Action Date
D0037 ORDER FOR CONTINUANCE SEIDLIN JOSEPH 02/13/2025 02/13/2025 02/13/2025
Comments: STATUS CONFERENCE 04/24/2025 10:00 AM ROOM 410. JURY TRIAL
06/09/2025 09:00 AM.

D0036 WAIVER OF SPEEDY TRIAL LARSON JENNIFER 02/13/2025 02/13/2025 02/13/2025
Comments: 90 DAY

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

 

[vtrent36]

I don’t understand a lot of legal talk. But this story is so sad and I’ve been wondering what’s going to happen to the mom. Kayla and Waylon lived across the hall from me, we were home the night this happened and it still gives me chills. The poor baby, RIP.

 

[Niner]

Oops - looks like I missed a few hearings. Now she is claimed incompetency....

Filings
Title: STATE VS KAYLA MARIE BEVAR
Case: 05771 FECR386641 (POLK)
Citation Number:

Docket # Event Filed By Filed Create Date Last Updated Action Date
D0050 COURT ORDERED EVALUATION REPORTS CR/JV/ABUSE/GC DUVALL MELISSA 04/14/2025 04/14/2025 04/14/2025

D0049 INDIGENT DEFENSE CLAIM FORM 03/31/2025 04/03/2025 04/03/2025
Comments: FOR EVALUATION PSYCHOLOGIST SERVICES ON 03/18/25 IN THE
AMOUNT OF $1,612.50.

D0048 OTHER ORDER SCOTT PAUL 03/19/2025 03/19/2025 03/19/2025
Comments: DEFENDANT TO BEGIN RESTORATION OUTPATIENT TREATMENT; ALL
PROCEEDINGS ARE SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER ORDER OF THE COURT.
STATUS HEARING 5/22/25 9AM ROOM 310.

D0047 COURT ORDERED EVALUATION REPORTS CR/JV/ABUSE/GC THOMAS TRACY 03/18/2025 03/19/2025 03/19/2025

D0046 OTHER ORDER SCOTT PAUL 03/18/2025 03/18/2025 03/18/2025
Comments: THE HEARING SCHEDULED MARCH 19, 2025 AT 9:00 A.M. WILL BE
HELD VIRTUALLY. PARTIES SHALL JOIN THE HEARING FROM THEIR
COMPUTER, TABLET, OR SMARTPHONE USING THE INFORMATION
PROVIDED.

D0045 OTHER ORDER HUPPERT MICHAEL D 03/14/2025 03/17/2025 03/17/2025
Comments: BASED ON NOTICE OF RECUSAL, THIS CASE IS REASSIGNED TO JUDGE
DCC2 DOCKET

D0044 OTHER ORDER SEIDLIN JOSEPH 03/14/2025 03/17/2025 03/17/2025
Comments: NOTICE OF RECUSAL

D0043 ORDER FOR CONTINUANCE SEIDLIN JOSEPH 03/05/2025 03/05/2025 03/05/2025
Comments: HEARING 03/19/2025 09:00 AM COURTROOM 410.

D0042 MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE PETROVICH ANDREW DARREN 03/04/2025 03/05/2025 03/05/2025
Comments: OF COMPETENCY HEARING SET 3/6/25

D0041 ORDER SETTING HEARING SEIDLIN JOSEPH 02/20/2025 02/20/2025 02/20/2025
Comments: STATUS HEARING REGARDING COMPETENCY 3/6/25 11:30AM ROOM 410.
FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ARE SUSPENDED PENDING HEARING. JENNIFER
LARSON AND ANDREW PETROVICH ARE APPOINTED TO REPRESENT
DEFENDANT. BOND IS CONTINUED UNTIL AFTER THE EVALUATION IS
COMPLETED.

D0040 OTHER APPLICATION PETROVICH ANDREW DARREN 02/20/2025 02/20/2025 02/20/2025
Comments: FOR HEARING PURSUANT TO IOWA CODE CHAPTER 812

D0039 OTHER ORDER SEIDLIN JOSEPH 02/19/2025 02/19/2025 02/19/2025
Comments: GRANTING STATE'S APPLICATION FOR RECIPROCAL DISCOVERY

D0038 MOTION FOR RECIPROCAL DISCOVERY HESTON KAILYN MCKENZIE 02/14/2025 02/17/2025 02/17/2025
Comments: NOTICE OF COMPLIANCE WITH DISCOVERY AND REQUEST FOR
RECIPROCAL DISCOVERY

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

 

[Niner]

Docket # Event Filed By Filed Create Date Last Updated Action Date
D0053 COURT ORDERED EVALUATION REPORTS CR/JV/ABUSE/GC DUVALL MELISSA 05/14/2025 05/14/2025 05/14/2025

D0052 ORDER FOR CONTINUANCE SCOTT PAUL 05/07/2025 05/07/2025 05/07/2025
Comments: STATUS CONFERENCE 05/29/2025 09:30 AM ROOM 310

D0051 NOTICE HESTON KAILYN MCKENZIE 04/29/2025 04/30/2025 04/30/2025
Comments: OF DISCOVERY DISCLOSURE

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


I believe the motion for continuance is for the hearing on 5/22/25 & they continued it on 5/29/25.

 

[Niner]

oops - wrong thread...

 

[Niner]

Thursday, May 29th:
*Status Conference Hearing (@ 9:30am CT) – IA - Waylon (20 mos.) found in bathtub unresponsive & drowned on Oct 31, 2024 in West Des Moines. - *Kayla Marie Bevar (21) arrested (11/13/24), charged (11/15/24) & arraigned (1/30/25) with child endangerment-death & neglect or abandonment of dependent person. $1M CASH bond. Polk County
Trial was set to begin on 3/10/25 continued on 6/9/25.
Judge Paul Scott ??. Prosecutor Kaily McKenzie Heston. Defense attorneys Andrew Darren Petrovich & Jennifer Larson.
Case & Court info from 10/31/24 thru 1/30/25 reference post #33 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...other-is-asleep-december-7-2024.731224/page-2
2/7/25 Docket update: [D0035] Notice. Discovery Agreement filed by Joseph Seidln. Next pretrial conference hearing on 2/13/25 @ 9:45am.
2/13/25 Docket updates: [D0036] Waiver of speedy trial [90 day] filed by Jennifer Larson. [D0037] Order for trial continuance by Joseph Seidlin-granted. Next status conference hearing on 4/24/25 @ 10am & trial is set to begin on 6/9/25 @ 9am.
2/17/25 Docket update: [D0038] Motion for reciprocal discovery. Notice of compliance with discovery & request for reciprocal discovery filed by Kaily McKenzie Heston. 2/19/25 Docket update: [D0039] Other Order-Granting State's application for reciprocal discovery filed by Joseph Seidlin. 2/20/25 Docket updates: [D0040] Other application. For hearing pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 812 filed by Andrew Darren Petrovich. [D0041] Order setting hearing. Status hearing regarding competency on 3/6/25. Further proceedings are suspended pending hearing. Jennifer Larson & Andrew Petrovich are appointed to represent defendant. Bond is continued until after the evaluation i completed by Judge Joseph Seidlin.
3/4/25 Docket update: [D0042] Motion for continuance of competency hearing on 3/6/25. 3/5/25 Docket update: [D0043] Order for continuance granted. Next hearing on 3/19/25. 3/17/25 Docket updates: [D0044] Other Order by Judge Joseph Seidlin. Notice of recusal. [D0045] Other Order. Based on notice of recusal, this case is reassigned to Paul Scott by Judge Michael D. Huppert. 3/18/25 Docket updates: [D0046] Other Order by Judge Paul Scott. Hearing scheduled on 3/19/25 will be held virtually. Parties shall join the hearing from their computer, tablet, or smartphone. [D0047] Court ordered evaluation reports by Tracy Thomas. 3/19/25 Docket update: [D0048] Other Order by Judge Paul Scott. Defendant to begin restoration outpatient treatment; all proceedings are suspended until further Order of the Court. Next status hearing on 5/22/25 @ 9am.
4/3/25 Docket update: [D0049] Indigent defense claim form. For evaluation psychologist services on 3/18/25 in the amount of $1,612.50. 4/14/25 Docket update: [D0050] Court ordered evaluation reports filed by Melissa Duvall. 4/30/25 Docket update: [D0051] Notice. Heston Kailyn McKenzie of discovery disclosure.
5/7/25 Docket update: [D0052] Motion for continuance of status conference hearing on 5/22/25 to 5/29/25 @ 9:30am filed by Paul Scott. 5/14/25 Docket update: [D0053] Court Ordered evaluation reports cr/JV/abuse/GC filed by Melissa Duvall.