April 19, 2024

Examiner: Baby likely died of ‘positional asphyxia’

ANKENY— Authorities say a baby whose parents have been charged with child endangerment died after becoming wedged between her bed and a wall. The Polk County medical examiner says the 7-month-old from Ankeny likely died of “positional asphyxia” last August and that the infant tested positive for cocaine metabolite, a breakdown product of cocaine. Examiner Gregory Schmunk could not confirm how the drug got into the child’s system or when.