Oskaloosa, IOWA – Today, Tuesday, April 23, 2013, officers with the Oskaloosa Police Department and the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) arrested and charged Bryan Draper Vilcone with Murder in the 1st Degree, a Class A Felony.
On April 18, 2013 at approximately 6:52 P.M., officers with the Oskaloosa Police Department responded to the Mahaska Health Partnership Emergency Room to investigate a report of possible child abuse. When officers arrived, they discovered that seven-week-old Raelynn M. Hart was receiving treatment for injuries. The child’s mother informed officers that Hart received the injuries while in the care of a family friend, 24 year old Bryan Draper Vilcone of 707 2nd Avenue East in Oskaloosa, Iowa.
Hart was later transported by ambulance to Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa for treatment of her injuries. At that time the Oskaloosa Police Department requested the assistance of DCI to further investigate the alleged abuse.
On Sunday, April 21, 2013, Hart died at Mercy Medical Center as a result of injuries she received on April 18, 2013. The Polk County Medical Examiner’s Office performed an autopsy of Hart’s remains on Monday, April 22, 2013. The autopsy revealed Hart likely died of abusive head trauma, however final autopsy results are still pending.
The investigation into the death of Hart and alleged abuse by Vilcone continues. Questions should be directed to Special Agent in Charge Mike Motsinger at 515-729-3706.
It should be noted a criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
