What began as an emergency medical call at an Iowa child care center quickly turned into a homicide investigation after authorities were alerted to something far more disturbing inside the building. A 20-year-old employee, Stephanie Ubaldo, had been taken to hospital after reportedly experiencing significant vaginal bleeding.
About an hour later, police received information that a premature infant could be inside a trash container at the same Perry facility. Officers arrived and discovered a deceased baby girl, setting in motion an investigation that would lead to Ubaldo’s arrest and a first-degree murder charge two days later.
A Similarly Devastating Case Involving a Newborn: Cases involving the death of an infant carry their own distinct legal and investigative complexities. For more, read our report on a babysitter accused of kidnapping two Atlanta sisters, a case investigators have linked to an earlier newborn abduction.
Emergency Call at Perry Day Care Leads to a Shocking Discovery
The case unfolded on September 15, 2026, at Acorns & Oaks Child Care, located on the Perry Lutheran Home’s Eden Acres campus in Perry, Iowa.
Shortly before 5 p.m., Dallas County Emergency Medical Services was dispatched to the child care center following a report that a woman was experiencing vaginal bleeding.
That woman was identified as Ubaldo, an employee at the facility. Emergency responders evaluated her at the child care center before transporting her to a hospital in the Des Moines metropolitan area. According to the available reports, she arrived at the hospital at approximately 5:30 p.m.
The medical emergency initially appeared to be the central concern. But less than an hour later, the situation took a dramatic turn.
Shortly before 6:30 p.m., the Perry Police Department was contacted after authorities received information that a premature infant might be inside a trash container at the child care center.
Officers went to the facility and found a deceased baby girl inside a trash bag.
Police later identified Ubaldo as the infant’s mother. Authorities also clarified an important detail: the baby was not enrolled at or under the care of Acorns & Oaks Child Care.
Key Timeline of the September 15 Investigation
| Time | Event | Official Details |
| Shortly before 5 p.m. | Emergency response | Dallas County EMS was dispatched to Acorns & Oaks Child Care after a report of significant vaginal bleeding |
| Approximately 5:30 p.m. | Hospital arrival | Ubaldo was transported to a hospital in the Des Moines metropolitan area |
| Shortly before 6:30 p.m. | Police notified | Authorities received information that a premature infant might be inside a trash container |
| September 15, 2026 | Infant discovered | Officers found a deceased baby girl inside a trash bag at the facility |
| September 17, 2026 | Arrest | Ubaldo was arrested and charged with first-degree murder |
When a Complaint’s Allegations Come From the Defendant’s Own Words: Cases sometimes hinge heavily on what a suspect reportedly told investigators, alongside physical evidence collected at the scene. For more, read our report on Kewon White’s guilty verdict in the MO3 killing, built on cellphone evidence and other records presented at trial.
Investigators Allege Ubaldo Gave Birth Inside the Day Care Bathroom
As investigators worked to understand what had happened, the criminal complaint provided a more detailed account of the events.
According to the complaint, Ubaldo told medical staff and investigators that she had given birth inside the bathroom at Acorns & Oaks Child Care, where she was employed.
The complaint alleges that Ubaldo knew she was pregnant but had not informed anyone about the pregnancy.
Investigators allege that after giving birth inside the facility’s bathroom, Ubaldo placed the infant in a garbage bag.
The criminal complaint also describes what investigators say happened after the baby was born.
According to the allegations, Ubaldo told detectives that she heard the baby crying following the birth. She allegedly told investigators that she “intentionally caused injuries to the baby’s face in an effort to stop the baby from crying.”
That statement is part of the criminal complaint and represents an allegation in the case. It has not been established as fact at trial.
Investigators further allege that Ubaldo intended to return to work after giving birth. According to the complaint, however, the amount of bleeding she was experiencing prevented her from doing so.
The sequence of events described in the complaint helps explain why what initially appeared to be a medical emergency at the day care center soon became a criminal investigation involving the death of a newborn.
When an Arrest Marks the Start of a Longer Legal Process: A first-degree murder charge is typically just the beginning of a case that can take months to move through the courts. For more, read our report on a Tennessee man sentenced to life for strangling his 81-year-old wife after initially claiming she had fallen.
Court Records Detail the Premature Baby’s Condition
Court documents indicate that the infant was approximately 32 to 36 weeks into gestation.
The baby was described as a fully developed baby girl. When officers found her, she was inside a trash bag in a trash container at the child care facility.
Court records and local reporting based on those documents stated that the infant had injuries to her face and other parts of her body.
The Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy as part of the investigation.
Local reporting based on court documents stated that the injuries were extensive and that the infant’s death was treated as a homicide.
Authorities have not publicly released the identity of the newborn. Additional personal information about the child has also not been disclosed.
The autopsy is part of the broader evidence being considered as investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding the baby’s death.
When a Child’s Safety Becomes the Central Legal Question: Courts and investigators are regularly asked to weigh what could have been done differently to protect a child. For more, read our report on a Michigan mother sentenced to 6–30 years after her three children were found living alone in a filthy Pontiac home.
Stephanie Ubaldo Arrested Two Days After Discovery
The investigation continued for two days after the newborn was discovered.
On September 17, the Perry Police Department announced that Ubaldo had been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the infant’s death.
Ubaldo was booked into the Dallas County Jail, where she remains in custody. Local reports stated that she was being held without bond.
The arrest followed the emergency response, discovery of the infant, interviews and investigative work described in the criminal complaint.
Perry Police Chief Jim Archer addressed the investigation in a statement, highlighting the work of law enforcement, emergency responders and medical professionals.
“The dedication of the law enforcement, first responders, and medical professionals, along with the engagement of our community has brought us to a point where criminal charges could be filed.”
Archer also made clear that the arrest did not represent the end of the investigation.
“An arrest is a milestone in an investigation, and this investigation will continue into the days ahead.”
The Perry Police Department has asked anyone with information relevant to the case to contact the department’s non-emergency line at 515-465-4636.
When an Investigation Extends Well Beyond the Initial Arrest: An arrest often represents just one stage in a case that continues to develop through pretrial proceedings and sentencing. For more, read our report on Precious Arzuaga’s upcoming sentencing in the Sam Nordquist murder case, as four defendants have now pleaded guilty.
Iowa Safe Haven Law Highlighted After Newborn’s Death
Following Ubaldo’s arrest, local authorities also highlighted Iowa’s Safe Haven law.
The law allows a parent or an authorized individual to safely surrender an infant at certain designated locations without facing prosecution for abandonment.
Eligible locations under the law may include hospitals, health care facilities, fire stations staffed by paid or volunteer firefighters, adoption-service providers and approved newborn safety devices, including Safe Haven Baby Boxes.
Authorities identified medical and care facilities in the Perry area as locations where people seeking help with an infant may be able to obtain assistance.
The protections and requirements under the law are specific. Individuals facing an urgent situation involving an infant should contact emergency services or an authorized Safe Haven location directly.
The mention of the law forms part of the authorities’ response following the case and provides information about options available under Iowa law for the safe surrender of an infant.
Investigation Continues With Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Assistance
The Perry Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death with assistance from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
At this stage, the criminal complaint provides details about statements Ubaldo allegedly made to medical personnel and detectives. The autopsy and other investigative findings are expected to form part of the evidence in the case.
The available information therefore contains different categories of information that are important to keep separate.
The emergency response, police discovery of the deceased infant, Ubaldo’s arrest, and the first-degree murder charge are documented developments in the case. Statements attributed to Ubaldo in the criminal complaint and descriptions of the circumstances surrounding the baby’s death are allegations contained in court records.
Ubaldo has been charged but has not been convicted.
She is presumed innocent unless and until the allegations are proven in court.
What We Know About the Perry Infant Death Case
The case began with an emergency call shortly before 5 p.m. on September 15, when EMS responded to Acorns & Oaks Child Care after Ubaldo reportedly experienced significant vaginal bleeding.
She was transported to a hospital, but roughly an hour later police were alerted to information about a possible premature infant inside a trash container at the same facility.
Officers found a deceased baby girl inside a trash bag. Investigators subsequently identified Ubaldo as the infant’s mother.
The criminal complaint alleges that she gave birth in the day care bathroom, despite knowing she was pregnant and not informing others about the pregnancy. Investigators further allege that she injured the baby after hearing her cry and placed her in a garbage bag.
Court documents state that the infant was approximately 32 to 36 weeks into gestation and was a fully developed baby girl. An autopsy was conducted by the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner, while local reporting based on court documents described the injuries as extensive and the death as a homicide.
Two days after the discovery, Ubaldo was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
Conclusion
The investigation into the death of the newborn found at Acorns & Oaks Child Care in Perry remains ongoing. The case has moved from an emergency medical response to a first-degree murder prosecution, with the Perry Police Department and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation continuing to examine the circumstances.
Authorities have also pointed to Iowa’s Safe Haven law, which provides designated options for the safe surrender of infants under specific legal conditions.
For now, Ubaldo remains charged, not convicted, and the allegations outlined in the criminal complaint remain subject to the court process. The investigation and legal proceedings are continuing.
Source Disclaimer
This article has been prepared from thorough research of the sources provided below, including police statements, court documents, and local news coverage. It reflects the information available from those sources at the time of publication and does not imply independent verification beyond the material provided. Allegations contained in a criminal complaint are not proof of guilt, and the investigation and legal proceedings remain ongoing.
Sources
- KCCI — Woman charged with murder in connection to baby’s death in Perry
- KCRG — Mother charged with murder of newborn found dead at Iowa daycare
- WHO Radio — Suspect Arrested, Charged with First-Degree Murder After Newborn Found Dead in Perry
- The Perry News — Perry woman arrested Thursday in infant death
- True Crime News
Featured Image Credit:
- Perry Police Department
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