Ankeny Couple Charged With Child Endangerment After Baby's Death

ANKENY, IA — The parents of a 7-month-old Ankeny child who died in August were arrested last week after authorities learned tests showed the infant had cocaine in its system when it died. The Polk County medical examiner said the child, who had become lodged between a bed and wall, likely died of positional asphyxia.

The Des Moines Register reported that Michelle Atwell, 33, and Matthew Cohara, 48, were arrested on Wednesday. Both have since been released from the Polk County Jail on bond.

Medical Examiner Gregory Schmunk told the Register on Friday that the baby tested positive for a form of cocaine.

The infant was pronounced dead at an area hospital the morning of Aug. 26 after the parents reportedly found her unresponsive and wedged between the wall and bed around 9:30 a.m. The Register reported that, according to court documents, Atwell told Ankeny police she drank two bottles of beer, smoked marijuana and ingested cocaine the night before. She claimed she pumped breast milk that evening, but did not give it to the child. She said she did nurse the infant around 4:30 a.m. Aug. 26.

Atwell was charged with child endangerment causing substantial risk, narcotics possession with intent to deliver, possession of marijuana and several other drug charges, according to the Register story. Cohara was charged with child endangerment and possession of marijuana and cocaine.

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