Davenport Woman Accused Of Leaving Baby In Trash

According to KWQC, the 22-year-old is being charged with an aggravated misdemeanor after leaving her newborn baby in the trash.

Ashley Hautzenrader of Davenport claimed that she didn't know she was pregnant before she walked into a bathroom at the UI Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. In the bathroom, Hautzenrader delivered her baby in the toilet and thought the newborn was dead after it wasn't crying. She first attempted to flush it down the toilet.

When Hautzenrader's flushing attempt failed, she put the baby into a pillowcase and discarded of it in the trash can before proceeding to clean up the bathroom and leaving the facilities.

According to the KWQC reports, UI Hospital employees later found the baby, alive and inside of the trash can.

Read the full story: Davenport woman accused of putting newborn in trash

A Safe Alternative For Expecting Mothers

Unfortunately, situations like these happen frequently. So often, in fact, that Northeastern Indiana has installed the nation's very first "baby box."

The Safe Haven Baby Box is a padded, and climate controlled place that mothers can drop off unwanted newborns anonymously. Once the baby is placed inside, a sensor notifies nearby emergency personnel.

Should Iowa be one of the next states to implement a "baby box?"

If you are pregnant and scared, it's important to know your options and make the best decision for both you and your baby.