# 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'.
- Title: Mom wraps barely breathing baby in towel and stashes him on…
- Summary: Woman in Iowa jailed after allegedly leaving newborn unattended while he was 'barely breathing'.
- Keywords: child endangerment, iowa, margaret conant, linn county correctional center, child victim, prescription drug violation, child death, unresponsive newborn, Law & Crime
- Source: Law & Crime — https://lawandcrime.com/crime/mom-wrapped-barely-breathing-baby-boy-in-towel-and-stashed-him-on-closet-shelf-instead-of-calling-for-help-cops
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: child endangerment, iowa, margaret conant, linn county correctional center, child victim, prescription drug violation, child death, unresponsive newborn, crime, news
## 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.
## Key takeaway

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.