An Iowa woman charged in the death of her baby left the courtroom sobbing during the first day of her trial when prosecutors showed photos of her lifeless son in a swing set. (They changed her name to "Dale Harum" in Michigan Murders .) Harris cried in courtafter prosecutors showed the jury crime scene photographs. a crime scene with a fallen chair and a blood spot in an abandoned room - bloody crime scene photos stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images View of the body of an unidentified homicide victim under a bloody sheet on the beach in Lands End Park, San Francisco, California, August 1973. Koehn's attorney had said the baby's death was a tragedy, but not a crime. Koehn, is charged with murder and child endangerment. Their son, Sterling Daniel Koehn, was found dead Aug. 30. ADes Moines Registerinvestigation earlier this year showed that 11 children died in 2016 from suspected abuse. Nichole Watt, a Waterloopublic defender representingHarris, said while Sterling's death is a tragedy, it was not a plannedmurder. Chief Deputy Reed Palo described finding maggots and larva in the baby's clothing during the autopsy. Its been a topic of heavy lament every night in Schuckys Bar & Grill, one of the few businesses in town. GUILTY: Cheyanne Harris is facing a mandatory life sentence after a jury found her guilty of first-degree murder and child endangerment causing death in the death of her 4-month-old son Sterling Koehn. The resulting diaper rash led to ruptured skin, and e.Coli bacteria set in. Autopsy photographs appeared to show the boy wearing camouflage pants and a shirt with a cartoon cow above the words "let's play" bleeding from the mouth. Harris, along with the babys father,29-year-old Zachary Paul Koehn, failed to take care of their infant son, yet still provided care for their oldest child, a toddler. Cheyanne Harris of Alta Vista, Iowa will face life in prison without the possibility of parole after her infant was discovered to have died from malnutrition, dehydration, and infection. Zachary Paul Koehn entered the courtroom for a pretrial hearing on Tuesday. A forensic entomologist who examined insects on Sterling's body concluded the baby had been in his swing for nine to 14 days in the same diaper. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. An Iowa mom accused of letting her four-month-old son rot to death from extreme diaper rash wept in court after seeing pictures of the lifeless newborn in a maggot-infested swing. He said Cheyanne Harris got up to feed the baby. Police restrict access to crime scene photos sometimes for months or years after the investigation ends. },false) From the summer of 1979 to 1981, over 27 young black males were killed in the Atlanta area. "But mainly we felt we needed to do something for this baby.". Charges were dismissed when he agreed to make restitution to the city. An Iowa mother stands accused of killing her infant. Drahozal later picked up the line of questioning. Harris - who has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and child endangerment resulting in death - was arrested in August 2017 after medics found the baby. Baby Sterling's blanket was covered in urine and there were maggots on his clothing, the court heard. Koehn would later tell agents with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation that medics took Sterling to a Cresco hospital and then moved him to Mercy in Mason City because he had water in his lungs. The deputy began preserving evidence, the prosecutor said, because by then, "little Sterling Koehns body was a crime scene.". At the beginning of the trial,a public defender representingHarris said while Sterling's death is a tragedy, it was not a plannedmurder. Crime Scene Photos. I wasn't. Also during the DCI interview, Koehn said he had never changed a diaper and occasionally gave Sterling a bottle those were normally Cheyanne Harris responsibilities, and he cared for the daughter, he said. Koehn had misplaced a little black bag with meth and a scale, Clark said. As a result, the most vivid scenes, such as the carnage after the 2013 Boston Marathon . Zachary Paul Koehn during a pretrial hearing on Tuesday. Prosecutors said money and health insurance should not have been an issue for the parents. I talked to Zach a lot. The baby's father,Zachary Koehn, 29, was convictedin November of the same charges. The Davidson County Sheriff's Office has released photos of the Corbett home taken the night Jason Corbett was bludgeoned to death in his bedroom. They have an 11-month-old child and knew the couple also had a baby but never saw the child nor the father. NEW HAMPTON The mother of Sterling Koehn has waived her right to a speedy trial on charges she is responsible for the infants death. Chickasaw County Sheriff's Office. I was tearing up in there, and I saw nothing from her.. An Iowa couple has been charged in the death of their 4-month-old son, who was found covered in maggots in a baby swing inside their apartment, police say. Harris let out a cry when prosecutors presented the photos during trial, according to the Des Moines Register. Further, since the baby wasnt fed or given anything to drink, he died from infection, dehydration, and malnutrition, per court documents. Sep 13, 2017 @ 14:10PM. NEW HAMPTON A former Alta Vista man who was convicted in the neglect death of his infant son is asking for a new trial. It is one of the eeriest serial killer crime scene photos to date. MOUNT PLEASANT Shortly after a Sterling Koehn was born in a bathtub, a red flag went up that he might be at risk. Body as found Body as found Body as found Body turned over for view At first glance, the . Market data provided by Factset. The prosecution denied the defense's claims, saying Koehn was an experienced parent. Sometimes people like that, they might jump her in the bathroom.Harris son Sterling Koehn was found lifeless and bleeding from his mouth on August 30, 2017, at an apartment in Alta Vista, Chickasaw County. Harris recently appeared on a UK documentary, called Locked up with the Lifers, with presenter Stacey Dooley, where she shared that she was struggling behind bars. Police said they found everything needed to care for the child, including new diapers and baby ointment to treat the rash, inside the home, The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports. if(document.querySelector("#google_image_div")){ Wyoming Police this week released photos from the July 2014 case known as the . The pair, both aged 12 and students at Herbert Slater Middle School, spent their last night alive hanging out . 0. pg.acq.push(function() { The boy's father, convicted by aHenry County jury, is serving his life term at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Dodge. She was arrested in August 2017 after medics found 4-month-old Sterling Koehn dead in the swing in a dark, sweltering bedroom. dining. The mother of the late singer-rapper Aaron Carter released photos of the scene of his death Wednesday, calling for a "real . window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('impressionViewable', function(event) { All rights reserved. He made the comment he needed to find it before anyone else did, the friend told jurors. The trial was moved to Mount Pleasant from Chickasaw County on a change of venue. ga('ads.send', { "Hopefully, we can bring awareness to child abuse and neglect," she said. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. ALTA VISTA The father of a 4-month-old who starved to death in a swing seat in an Alta Vista apartment has lost a bid to get his murder conv. hitType: 'event', Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Photographing the room, a deputysaw scuttle flies as he moved a blanket off Sterling's body,McAllister said. } He was also shot in the wrist. } She also revealed that if she had not been high on drugs, her son would have been alive. Zachary Koehn, left, with defense attorney Steven Drahozal following jury selection in Henry County Court on Monday. Published on March 16, 2022 06:58 PM. The OJ Simpson trial may have eclipsed the crime scene itself, but the photos of Nicole Brown are not for the faint of heart. Harris let out a cry when prosecutors presented the photos during trial, according to the Des Moines Register. Harris' trial was moved from Chickasaw County to Plymouth County because of pretrial publicity. Zachary Koehn, center, stands with his attorneys as the verdict was read Tuesday in the Henry County Courthouse in Mount Pleasant. Jodi captured the chilling photos of Travis last moments before stabbing him 29 times. The comments below have not been moderated, By Zachary Koehnhad been found guilty on the same charges as Harris back in December. Jurors also heard from a former friend of Koehns, Jordan Clark, who developed a relationship with Cheyanne Harris following Sterlings death. ALTA VISTA, Iowa - Neighbors of the little boy found dead in a baby swing say they heard about his August death but that details were "hush hush," reports CBS affiliate KIMT. MOUNT PLEASANT Shortly after a Sterling Koehn was born in a bathtub, a red flag went up that he might be at risk. The trial was moved to Le Mars in Plymouth County from Chickasaw County because of publicity. [Feature Photo: Sterling Koehn & Cheyenne Harris/Police Handout], Florida Man Convicted of Abusing & Murdering Months-Old Son, Found with Severe Internal Injuries, Isabel Celis: Jury Deadlocks in Trial of Man Who Allegedly Murdered Two Young Arizona Girls, Alex Murdaugh Begins Prison Sentence With New Haircut. Zachary Koehn averts his eyes as photos are displayed of his son's autopsy during trial on Thursday. Jordan Clark, a former friend of Koehn's, had testified that he wasn't even aware the man had a baby. On cross-examination by defense attorney Steven Drahozal, Schroeder said there may have been earlier warnings of the drug use. She hosted a baby shower, and she bought him a bouncer, a powered swing and some clothes. }); document.querySelector("#adunit").addEventListener('click',function(){ } ga('ads.send', { Neil Blake | nblake1@mlive.com. A judge allowed Brandy Harris to testify without being photographed because of death threats and harassment through social media. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Iowa nurse, sanctioned over adoption, is fired after licensing-board error, Abandoned Waterloo house named as one of the most endangered properties in Iowa, Man arrested for attacking woman outside casino, New thrift store, outreach center opening in Waterloo, Resident with BB gun detains burglar who broke into Waterloo home, Man arrested for gun, drugs in Cedar Falls traffic stop, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Man who was pulled from Cedar River has died, UPDATE: Suspect arrested for stolen vehicle with baby inside, Family recounts finding infant following 'baby on board' car theft, Astro E-Sports Lounge bringing family fun to College Hill, Waterloo, Cedar Falls fail to qualify for $5.6 million Destination Iowa grant, Mother waives speedy trial in Alta Vista infant death, UPDATE: Prosecutor: Infant died of diaper rash (Warning: graphic content), UPDATE: GUILTY in under an hour: Jury convicts Zachary Koehn in baby death (PHOTOS), UPDATE: Zachary Koehn sentenced in infant son's death, UPDATE: GUILTY: Jury convicts Zachary Koehn in baby's neglect death, Jury seated in trial for mother in Alta Vista infant death, Global race is on to improve EV range in the cold, Moscow reportedly threatened new parents in Ukraine: Register your newborns as Russian or else, The impact of climate change will be felt worse in these three U.S. cities, Scientists reveal hidden corridor in Great Pyramid of Giza. Rushing to the scene, the first responder thought she would need to perform CPR or another emergency procedureto assist a child. reporters on a platform technologically tailored to meet the needs of the modern reader. I was not a good person when I was on meth and trying to be a mum. According to the owner, Koehn had Aug. 26, 2017, off but worked Aug. 27, 28 and 29. Testimony about the test came out briefly Wednesday as a child protective worker for the Iowa Department of Human Services took the stand at the murder trial of Sterlings father, 29-year-old Zachary Koehn, formerly of Alta Vista. The flieshatched eggs which turned into maggotsthat crept all over the babys skin. She was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Tuesday, according to local outlet KOMO. Weve got a bad reputation now., Oct. 26:Baby found rotting in swing; parents charged with murder Oct. 17:Mother worried about deportation drowns infant, 5-year-old, police say Oct. 16:Child dies after 325-pound adult sat on her as punishment. By was found guilty of those charges in November. Video of the proceedings was being streamed live at. He said the last time he gave Sterling a bottle was a few weeks prior. The OCCL has grown from a one-man operation in 1948 to its present day staff of 140 technical and support personnel. Forensic entomologist Timothy Huntington said maggots developing in Sterling's clothing indicated his diaper had been on for nine to 13 days. He said he never had any clue they had a young baby living in the home. Crime scene photos from 2019 double murder case against Alyssa Torres. Sterling was found dead in Koehn and Harris' Hilltop Avenue apartment Aug. 30, 2017, after Koehn placed a 911 call saying the child had died. and 'This is serious. Authorities said Sterling died of neglect; he was malnourished, and he hadnt had a diaper change for at least week, as evidenced by maggots on his clothing. LE MARS Prosecutors will begin presenting their case today against a former Alta Vista woman charged in the death of her infant son in August 2017. in the state's case against Sterling's father, 29-year-old Zachary Koehn, . Advertisement. As CrimeOnline previously reported,Aforensic entomologist determined how long the infant was left without a diaper change due to the maggots found inside the diaper. The boy's mother, Cheyanne Harris, is also charged and faces a separate trial at a later date. Harris will later be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Zachary Koehn, left, listens to testimony with defense attorney Steven Drahozal Tuesday in his first-degree murder trial in Henry County. An autopsy of the boy revealed that he died of malnutrition, dehydration, and infection.Zachary Koehn, the 29-year-old father of the child, was also sentenced to life in prison on December 4, 2018, for the death. They come to prison to pray for prisoners,' " Danny Koehn said. " Koehn told a 911 dispatcher that Sterling died from sudden infant death syndrome, but an autopsy proved otherwise. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Father guilty of murder in the death of Sterling Koehn, 'He chose to do nothing': Dad gets life in prison for murder, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Koehn made $45,000 a year and had access to health insurance as a truck driver who hauled chickens from Wisconsin to Charles City, Iowa. View gallery 10. They struggle to understand how Sterling Koehn's diaper could not have been changed for more than a week, how the 4-month-old boy's body could have been left in the babyswing for so long that maggots were crawling on him when Chickasaw County sheriff's deputies and medics arrived at his parents' apartment Aug. 30. If convicted of first-degree murder,Harris will be sentenced to life in prison. An Iowa mom accused of letting her four-month-old son rot to death from extreme diaper rash wept in court after seeing pictures of the lifeless newborn in a maggot-infested swing. Alexanders injury were some of the most horrifying and most brutal injures ever seen,His common carotid,jugular vein,artery,and trachea had been cut opened almos. The state medical examiner determined the boy's death was a homicide; his cause of death was listed as failure to provide critical care. Plymouth County jurors returnedthe verdict after more than fivehours of deliberations. The images appeared to show him bleeding from the mouth wearing camouflage pants and a shirt with a cartoon cow above the words 'let's play'. DHS worker Sheila Schroeder told jurors the couples 2-year-old daughter was removed to foster care following Sterlings death. Autopsy photos showed that Sterling, who had on tiny camouflage pants and a shirt with a cartoon cow on it when he died, had blood coming out of his mouth. Agent John Turbett with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation interviewed Zachary Koehn following Sterling Koehns death. Court hears how four-month-old boy's maggot-infested body was found in a baby swing after he went unchanged for a week and died of extreme 'diaper rash' as his father faces trial for murder He said the child was grabbing his fingers. reply | flag message 3: by Fishface (new) Sep 28, 2019 10:01AM eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Danny Koehn said he has talked to Zach Koehnsince he was jailed, and his brother was happy to see that citizens were coming to the jail to pray for him. Willis Koehn, Zachary Koehn's father, left, answers questions from Assistant Attorney General Denise Timmins during trial on Nov. 1, 2018. They may have paranoia, they may have irregular sleep patterns, which results in neglect to the child. "Choosing to let your child slowly die a painful death is no less unlawful than beating your child's head against a wall until the child dies.". Zachary Koehn, center, is flanked by attorneys Les Blair III and Steven Drahozal during the first day of testimony in his first-degree murder trial in Henry County Tuesday. So did the babys uncle, who is traveling from Mississippi for the vigil and turning right back around to return to his construction business. As Sterling was left in the swing, the couplecontinued to clothe and feed their healthy 2-year-old daughter, McAllister said. EzineArticles.com allows expert authors in hundreds of niche fields to get massive levels of exposure in exchange for the submission of their quality original . Sterling Koehn died of neglect and was left to rot in a feces-filled, maggot-infested diaper. Recommended Photo Galleries. Here is a transcript of the 911 call to dispatchers the day Sterling Koehn, 4 months, of Alta Vista, was found deceased at home. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. MOUNT PLEASANT A former Alta Vista man has been found guilty in the 2017 neglect death of his infant son. Jordan Clark told jurors he had been Zachary Koehns apartment in 2017 but didnt know he had a baby. MOUNT PLEASANT Zachary Paul Koehn took the stand Friday to challenge charges he is responsible for his infant sons death from neglect in 2017. }); "You couldnt put anything else in the newspaper. A Look Back at the Crime Scene Photos That Changed How Murder is Documented. Harris, who moved in with her mother in Riceville, Iowa, after Sterling's death,is also is being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder. Ted Bundy killed more than 30 women and girls, including a 12-year-old girl known as Kimberly Leach. Jane Carter, who goes by Jane Schneck on Facebook, posted the images on her page Wednesday in an effort to get authorities to investigate the "I Want Candy" singer's November death as a possible . "You're not going to hear any evidence that she's evil; that's because she's not evil.". The baby's father,Zachary Koehn, 29, was found guilty of those charges in November. The above photo shows all of the blood evidence that was found around Brown Simpson's . Now both his parents will spend the rest of their lives behind bars. He would return to Charles City in the early morning hours with a load of chickens, unhook his trailer and head home. Jordan Clark told jurors he had been Zachary Koehns apartment in 2017 but didnt know he had a baby. Sterling's parents Zachary Koehn, 28, and Cheyanne Harris, 20 were charged Oct. 25 with first-degree murder and child endangerment. }); Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. He is charged with murder in the death of his infant son in August 2017. Sterling was an active baby and appeared to be developing, the grandmother said. Koehn worked evening and overnight hours, departing from Charles City to farms in Minnesota, Wisconsin and southern Iowa. Clark, who worked for another trucking company hauling chickens, told jurors he knew Koehn had a daughter because he talked about her. Crime Scene Photos of the Tate and LaBianca Murders - GRAPHIC WARNING: Contains Gruesome Photos! If not worse. She told him Sterling was dead. Zachary Koehn, center, is flanked by attorneys Les Blair III and Steven Drahozal, as he sits in court Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018 in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Nurse and county rescue squad EMT Toni Friedrich testified Tuesday that she was the first to arrive at the apartment after Koehn called 911 to report the baby had died. Dr. Dennis Klein, Iowa chief medical examiner, center, talks with Denise Timmins and Coleman McAllister with the Iowa Attorney Generals Office during a break in the murder trial of Zachary Koehn, 29, charged with the death of his 4-month-old son, Sterling Koehn, in Alta Vista, in 2017. Other people here say that it gets better, that it wont be so hard. NEW HAMPTON (AP) A January trial has been scheduled for the mother of a baby whose lifeless body was found in an infant swing in Alta Vista. Koehn was offered health insurance but declined, the owner said. The couple's other two-year-old daughter appeared healthy. He also admitted using meth a couple of times a week and giving Cheyanne Harris his leftovers, Schroeder said. The state of Iowa carries an automatic sentence of life in prison without parole for first-degree murder convictions. },false) Another convict named Tara told Dooley, Yeah theyll f*** with her a lot [because of what shes in here for]. When the presenter asked her if the abuse will continue, Tara said: Oh yeah.