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…