A 28-year-old mother is facing a felony charge in connection with the death of her infant child.
On Nov. 21, Jaley Bush was charged with child endangerment resulting in death related to an incident that began on Jan. 27, according to court records obtained by the publication that originally reported the case.
Authorities say they were called to an apartment in Keokuk, Iowa, on Jan. 27 at around 2 p.m. and found the infant unresponsive in a basement bedroom, according to a criminal complaint cited by KCRG.
Bush had been visiting a friend that day and allegedly took Klonopin, a benzodiazepine, before falling asleep in bed that morning, investigators reported. She told authorities the baby had been sleeping next to her, positioned toward the inside of the bed.
When she woke up, however, she said she discovered the infant unresponsive — and head first inside a trash can.
Bush told investigators the baby may have crawled over or around her and then fallen into the trash can.
Responders attempted life-saving measures before the child was taken to the hospital. Authorities later took a blood sample from Bush on Jan. 28, which allegedly showed methamphetamine and benzodiazepines in her system.
The child died on Feb. 5. An autopsy listed the cause of death as asphyxiation.
