Jaley Bush, 28, from Iowa, has been charged with child endangerment resulting in death after her infant son, identified as R.S., died from asphyxia. The incident occurred on January 27, 2025, at a friend’s home in Keokuk, Iowa.
According to a criminal complaint, Bush and her son fell asleep on a bed in a basement bedroom. When she woke up, she found the baby unresponsive, head-first inside a nearby trash can. She believed the child had crawled off the bed and fallen into it.
Police responding around 2 p.m. began lifesaving efforts but the child later died on February 5. Bush exhibited signs of drug influence during the investigation and admitted to taking Klonopin, a sedative, though she denied knowing who the pills belonged to. A blood test revealed presence of methamphetamine and benzodiazepines.
Bush was arrested late in 2025 and appeared in court this past Tuesday on the child endangerment charge. Keokuk is in southeastern Iowa near the Missouri and Illinois borders.
This tragic case highlights dangers related to drug use and lack of supervision around infants.
