IOWA – Through the Safe Haven Law, two infants, a baby girl, born May 15, and a baby boy, born May 26, are now in the care and custody of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services  and will be placed with a foster family until permanent placement is determined. This brings the overall total to 70 infants since the law went into effect more than two decades ago. Iowa’s Safe Haven Act is as an option for parents in crisis to who determine they cannot care for an infant up to 90 days old. Designated locations like hospitals, fire stations, etc. HHS then works to place infants in in approved foster homes while awaiting permanent adoption. This is the third case so far in 2024. In 2023, ten infants were relinquished to HHS custody under the Safe Haven Act.
DES MOINES – The Des Moines Police Department is investigating a body found at Easter Lake Park Thursday afternoon. WHO-13 reports that emergency crews responded to calls and recovered an adult male. Police believe there are no obvious signs of criminal activity, and an autopsy will be completed to determine the possible cause of death. The beach was closed for the remainder of Thursday.

CEDAR RAPIDS – The family of the man who was killed outside of a Monticello Fareway last November believes their loved one would still be alive if the killer wasn’t released from prison early. KCRG-TV reports that Nathan Russell had been sentenced to two years of prison in September of 2022 — 14 months before he murdered Aaron McAtee. Russell was found guilty on drug and weapons charges for an incident in Galena. The county’s State Attorney Chris Allendorf is supposed to receive 30 days notice if a prisoner is released early from the Illinois Department of Corrections. Those released early in the state are supposed to be under supervised release.

MT. VERNON – One of four Cornell College professors attacked in China is now home. KCCI-TV reports David Zabner was stabbed in the arm by a 55-year-old overseas earlier this week, but has since arrived stateside. The U.S. State Department is working on bringing the other three individuals home, all of whom are expected to survive their injuries.