From Law & Crime · · 2m
Mom wraps barely breathing baby in towel and stashes him on closet shelf
Woman in Iowa jailed after allegedly leaving newborn unattended while he was 'barely breathing'.
In brief
Woman in Iowa jailed after allegedly leaving newborn unattended while he was 'barely breathing'. Margaret Conant, 39, jailed in Iowa for allegedly wrapping a newborn in a towel after he was 'barely breathing' and stashing him on a closet shelf instead of calling for help. Originally reported by Law & Crime.
Newborn found unresponsive
On Dec. 31, 2025, Marion Police found a dead baby boy at Margaret Conant's home after responding to a report about an unconscious newborn.
Conant charged with child endangerment
Margaret Conant, 39, has been charged with child endangerment causing substantial risk of bodily injury and a prohibited act involving prescription drug violation.
Conant jailed on $5,000 bond
Conant is lodged in the Linn County Correctional Center on a $5,000 bond after being booked into jail on Wednesday.
Baby was 'barely breathing'
Authorities say Conant reported the baby was 'barely breathing' and had only made sounds for about a minute after birth.
Conant wrapped baby in towel
Conant allegedly wrapped the newborn in a towel, placed him in a bag, and moved the bag to a closet shelf.
Baby died after no response
The baby no longer made any sounds after Conant placed him on the closet shelf, according to police reports.
Baby born at 25-26 weeks
An autopsy determined the baby was born at about 25 to 26 weeks of gestation.
Conant ordered abortion pills
Conant allegedly ordered abortion pills from an online service called 'Women on Web' on Dec. 21, 2025, 10 days before the baby's death.
Conant lied about menstrual period
Conant allegedly admitted to lying about her last menstrual period to obtain the abortion pills.
Prosecution took nearly a year
Nick Maybanks with the Linn County Prosecutor's Office said it took nearly a year to bring charges due to complex evidence.
Unclear if medical care would save baby
Prosecutors stated it's not clear if immediate medical care would have saved the child.
Conant booked into jail
Conant was booked into jail on Wednesday after the investigation concluded.
Conant ordered mifepristone and misoprostol
Conant ordered the abortion pills mifepristone and misoprostol from the online service.
Case complex due to evidence
Prosecutors found evidence such as information downloaded from Conant's phone to decide charges.
In short
Margaret Conant, 39, jailed in Iowa for allegedly wrapping a newborn in a towel after he was 'barely breathing' and stashing him on a closet shelf instead of calling for help.
