IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – A Davenport woman accused of attempting to flush her newborn down a toilet and leaving the child in a trash can at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics has taken a plea deal. The Gazette reports 24-year-old Ashley Hautzenrader entered Alford pleas to charges of neglect or abandonment of a dependent person and child endangerment in exchange for the drop of her most serious charge, attempted murder. An Alford plea is when a defendant doesn’t admit guilt, but acknowledges that there is likely enough evidence for a conviction.
OTTUMWA, IA (IRN) – An Ottumwa caretaker admitted to having sex with a mentally disabled patient during her shift Monday. KTVO-TV reports Ottumwa police arrested 26-year-old Cynthia Kopp Wednesday and charged her with Dependent Adult Abuse. Kopp was a professionally employed caretaker when she had consensual sex with the adult victim more than once.
HAMPTON, IA (IRN) – A man who held a woman against her will for at least 12 hours at his home, who also repeatedly hit her, used a taser on her, and let his dog bite her, will spend life in prison without parole. KCRG-TV reports Charles Albright of Meservey was sentenced Friday on charges of willful injury and first degree kidnapping.
BUCHANAN COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A crash between a motorcycle and a truck in Buchanan County sent one to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics by helicopter. The Iowa State Patrol reports a motorcycle driven by 35-year-old Gregory Fernau of Hazelton, tried to pass a truck as the truck was trying to turn left. Fernau’s motorcycle hit the driver’s side door of the truck. He was not wearing a helmet.
DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Approximately 30 FBI agents raided a Catholic worker house in Des Moines in relation to a federal investigation regarding the vandalism of the Dakota Access Pipeline construction project. KCCI-TV reports the raid started before dawn at the Berrigan House where Jessica Reznicek and Ruby Montoya are staying. The women claimed responsibility last month for setting several pieces of construction equipment on fire and damaging pipeline valves with torches.
DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A new trail is taking shape in Des Moines, but it’s not a typical bike path, according to WHO-TV. The paint is drying for Art Route Des Moines, which is a six-mile trail leading visitors to public art. Along the trail are 87 pieces of art on sidewalks and crosswalks. The trail stretches from the state capitol to the Meredith Corporation.