In 2017, paramedics and police rushed to an apartment in Alta Vista, Iowa, after receiving a report of a unresponsive baby. When they arrived, the stench that emanated in the air only indicated the horrors that they would find. They were led to a darkened room where their eyes transfixed to a figure in the corner, a figure that they soon realised was a little baby boy motionless in a powered swing seat.
Sponsors:
Sambucol: Thank you to Sambucol for sponsoring this episode! Sambucol makes you feel better with powerful immune support, powered by nature’s superfruit: black elderberry. Get 15% off with code MORBID15 at: https://sambucolusa.com/
Quip: Thank you to Quip for sponsoring this episode! Take better care of your teeth today with Quip. Get your first refill and up to 40% off bundles at: https://getquip.com/morbidology
Ritual: Thank you to Ritual for sponsoring this episode! Ritual’s Essential for Women’s 18+ multivitamin was formulated by extensive research to help fill in nutrient gaps. Get 10% off your first three months at: https://ritual.com/morbidology
Generation Why: Thank you to Wondery’s Generation Why for sponsoring this episode! When it comes to true crime podcasts, Generation Why is a pioneer. If you’re obsessed with crime mysteries and unsolved murder cases, this show has it all! Listen on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music or listen ad-free by joining Wondery Plus in the Wondery App.
Truebill: Thank you to Truebill for sponsoring this episode! Fight back against scammy subscriptions with this amazing new app: https://truebill.com/morbidology
Audio Sources:
“Sterling Koehn: The Baby Left to Die In A Swing”
“Cheyanne Harris Trial Day 3 Part 1 Harris Police Interview”
“Cheyanne Harris Trial Day 3 Part 2 Agent Christ Callaway & Dr Dennis Klein Testify”
“Cheyanne Harris Trial Day 3 Part 4 Dr Timothy Huntington Testifies”
“Cheyanne Harris Trial Day 4 Part 2 Transcript Testimony of Zachary Koehn from His Trial”
“Cheyanne Harris Trial Prosecution Closing Argument”
“Zachary Koehn Murder Trial Day 4 Zachary Koehn Takes the Stand”
“Zachary Koehn Murder Trial Day 1 Part 4 Jennifer Schriever & Jim Teal Testify”
“Zachary Koehn Murder Trial Day 2 Part 1 Jim Thiele Brandy Harris Jordan Clark Testify”
“Zachary Koehn Murder Trial Day 1 Part 2 Jason Rosol & Jeremy McGrath Testify”
“Zachary Koehn Murder Trial Day 1 Part Cathy Knutson & Toni Friedrich Tina Shatek Testify”
Sources:
CBS – 3 WREG, 26 October, 26 October, 2017 – “Infant Found Infested with Maggots”
The Advocate and Democrat, 26 October, 2017 – “Iowa Parents charged in Death of Infant Found Rotting in Swing”
NBC – 13 WHO, 27 October, 2017 – “Parents of Child Found Dead in Swing Had History of Using Meth”
Charles City Press, 31 October, 2017 – “Nashua Baby Was in Seat for Week”
Charles City Press, 3 November, 2017 – “More Details Emerge in Alta Vista Child’s Death”
Associated Press, 9 November, 2017 – “Parents Plead Not Guilty in Death of Maggot Infested Baby”
Associated Press, 20 November, 2017 – “Separate Trials for Parents of Maggot Infested Baby”
Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, 19 December, 2017 – “Man Charged in Son’s Death Seeks Trial Delay”
Charles City Press, 2 January, 2018 – “Kohn Trial Postponed in Alta Vista infant’s Death”
Globe Gazette, 17 January, 2018 – “Mom Charged With Homicide in Infant Son’s Death Asks for Delayed Trial”
Associated Press, 4 May, 2018 – “Mom of Baby Found Dead Might Use Intoxication Defence”
Associated Press, 15 June, 2018 – “Iowa Man Charged in Death of Infant Has Trial Moved”
Associated Press, 30 October, 2018 – “Prosecutor in Father’s Trial: Baby Died of Diaper Rash”
Globe Gazette, 30 October, 2018 – “Infant Died of Diaper Rash”
Associated Press, 31 October, 2018 – “Man Testifies he Wasn’t Aware Accused Father Even Had a Baby”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 31 October, 2018 – “Prosecutor: Baby Found Dead in Baby Swing Died of Diaper Rash”
Globe Gazette, 31 October, 2018 – “Dad’s Actions the Day Baby was Found Dead Scrutinized”
Associated Press, 1 November, 2018 – “Medical Examiner: Iowa Baby Severely Underweight”
Globe Gazette, 1 November, 2018 – “4-Month-Old Weighed Under 7 Pounds at Death”
Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, 1 November, 2018 – “Koehn Murder Trial”
Associated Press, 2 November, 2018 – “Iowa Father Takes Stand, Blames Mother”
Globe Gazette, 2 November, 2018 – “Iowa Dad Accused of Neglecting Infant Son Who Died”
Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, 2 November, 2018 – “Koehn Murder Trial”
Associated Press, 6 November, 2018 – “Iowa Man Convicted in Death of Infant Found in Swing”
NBC – 13 WVTM, 7 November, 2018 – “He Left Him There to Die”
The Quad-City Times, 7 November, 2018 – “Jury Convicts Man in Death of Infant Son”
Charles City Press, 29 November, 2018 – “Koehn Seeks News Trial in Baby Murder Conviction”
ABC – 13 WVEC, 4 December, 2018 – “He Chose to Do Nothing”
Associated Press, 30 January, 2019 – “Mother Sobs During Trial When Prosecutors Show Photos of Son”
Sioux City Journal, 30 January, 2019 – “Infant Unloved Uncared Before Death”
Associated Press, 1 February, 2019 – “Iowa Mother Questioned Her Care of Baby”
Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, 5 February, 2019 – “Cheyanne Harris Suffered from Drug Use”
Globe Gazette, 6 February, 2019 – “Alta Vista Baby Death”
Charles City Press, 5 June, 2019 – “Service to be Held for Alta Vista Baby Victim”
Charles City Press, 9 June, 2019 – “With Solemn Service, Alta Vista Lays Baby Sterling to Rest”
