Investigators are awaiting autopsy findings as they work to determine the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death and whether a crime occurred.
PERRY, Iowa — The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is assisting Perry police after officers found a deceased premature infant in a trash container at a child care facility Tuesday evening, authorities said.
The investigation centers on events at Acorns & Oaks Child Care, located on the Perry Lutheran Homes Eden Acres campus. Police have stressed that the infant was not under the care of the child care center and was not a client of the facility. No arrests or criminal charges had been announced as investigators awaited findings from an autopsy.
Dallas County Emergency Medical Services was dispatched to the facility at about 4:56 p.m. Sept. 15 after receiving a report of a woman experiencing vaginal bleeding, according to information released by Perry police. Emergency crews evaluated the woman and transported her to a Des Moines-area hospital at about 5:33 p.m.
Police said officers were notified at about 6:22 p.m. that a premature infant might be in a trash container at the child care facility. Officers responded and found the deceased infant inside a trash bag at about 6:32 p.m. A death investigator was called to assist.
The infant’s body was taken to the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny. An autopsy is expected to help investigators determine the circumstances surrounding the death. Authorities have not publicly released a cause or manner of death.
Perry Police Chief Jim Archer said determining what happened will take time. Authorities have not identified the woman who was taken to the hospital, and police have not released information establishing her relationship to the infant. Investigators also have not announced whether they believe a criminal offense occurred.
The involvement of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation adds state investigative resources to the case while Perry police continue to lead the local response. The agency frequently assists local law enforcement with death investigations when additional investigative expertise or state resources are requested.
Perry Lutheran Homes Chief Operating Officer and Administrator Melissa Gannon said the organization was following law enforcement direction and could not provide details while the investigation remained active. The organization asked the community to keep those affected by the incident in mind.
Police said investigators do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the community. Authorities have said additional information will be released as it becomes available, with the autopsy expected to be an important next step in determining what happened and whether the case will lead to criminal charges.
Author note: Last updated September 17, 2026.