Who are Brandon and Taylor Blaha? Iowa couple drowned newborn over fears that cops would find meth in her system

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On November 22, Blaha allegedly visited Unity Point Trinity Regional Medical Center and met with a representative of the Iowa Department of Human Services (IDHS), as per Law&Crime.  A detective from the sheriff's office was dispatched to the area after the IDHS employee made contact with the Webster County Law Enforcement Center.

In an interview with the Webster County Sheriff's Detective, Amy Stringer, Blaha reportedly informed that she found out she was pregnant with Thoma’s child in April 2022 and that she gave birth on November 16 in the apartment bathroom located in the 900 block of Central Avenue in Fort Dodge after Thoma gave her meth to ease the pain. Stringer claimed that Blaha had verified that the infant had been born alive and was wailing, moving her arms and legs, and opening her eyes. The two already have a 2-year-old son together, as reported by Fox 29.

When detectives from the Webster County Sheriff's Office seized their phones after learning about the incident they discovered that both had been searching for ways to induce a miscarriage, reported Fox 29. 

The couple reportedly planned to let Blaha's sister adopt the child, she said, adding that they had "no intentions" of keeping the youngster. Blaha allegedly claimed that she and Thoma quickly became concerned their neighbors would hear Kayleen sobbing and call the police, adding that Thoma snipped "sections of the cord to be kept to remember the baby" and cut the umbilical cord. 

“Blaha went on to explain that in order to stop the crying the two placed Kayleen in the bathtub, which was about half full of water, and placed both of their hands on the baby’s chest, forcing her underwater, ultimately killing her,” the affidavit states. Blaha added that Thoma had shown her how to accomplish this. When the infant was submerged, according to Blaha, Thoma pulled the child from the bathtub and set her outside of the tub before putting her in a plastic storage container, wrapping her in several trash bags, and carrying her out of the residence in a black backpack, reported by Law&Crime.

The baby's body was allegedly thrown in a wooded location, according to the complaint, but a search there turned out unsuccessful. In addition, Thoma led authorities to a location where he claimed to have buried the child, but further investigation revealed nothing. Police have also examined an area dump, but have been unable to find the remains. Police have announced a $1,500 reward for information that results in the discovery of the child's remains. A pretrial detention facility is now housing both parents. While Blaha's bond was set at $1 million, Thoma's was set at $1,050,000.