NEW HAMPTON, IA (IRN) – The mother of a baby whose lifeless body was found in an infant swing may use diminished responsibility or intoxication as a trial defense. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that the attorney for Cheyanne Harris filed the notice Thursday. She and the infant’s father, Zachary Koehn, have pleaded not guilty to murder and related charges. The body of 4-month-old Sterling Koehn was infested with maggots when found Aug. 30 in the swing by deputies and medics called to his parents’ Alta Vista apartment.
NEWTON, IA (IRN) – After two days on the run a suspected bank robber is now in custody, according to WHO-TV. Michael Phillips is accused of robbing the Great Western Bank in Newton on Tuesday. Police say he passed the teller a note claiming he had a bomb. No one was hurt.
WAVERLY, IA (IRN) – A seven-week-old baby is recovering after an overthrown softball hit her on the head. KWWL-TV reports baby McKenna Hovenga was hit during a men’s softball game in Waverly. She was airlifted to the Mayo Clinic where she is being treated for brain bleeds and a skull fracture. Kassy Hovenga and her daughter McKenna were sitting on the bleachers watching the game when suddenly a ball flew over the fence and hit her and her baby. Hovenga’s husband was playing in the game for the Waverly men’s softball league.
DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – A woman was shot early this morning at the Old Town Shopping Center in Davenport. WQAD-TV reports when police arrived they found the woman suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds. She was hospitalized, and police are investigating.
WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Parents are disgusted and shocked after a video surfaced on social media appearing to show a crying toddler forced under a plastic container at a Des Moines-area day care while two employees laugh. KCCI-TV reports the woman who posted the video said she used to work at Traditions Children’s Center in West Des Moines, where the incident happened. The employees were fired, and DHS is investigating.
DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Speeding and car crashes are up in Iowa. KCRG-TV reports state troopers have written approximately 1,700 speeding tickets so far this year–up almost 40% over the same period last year. Troopers say increased speeding has also led to an average of about four and a half more crashes per day than last year.