FORT DODGE – Fort Dodge police hunted for the body of a newborn baby after receiving a letter indicating birth, death and transport of corpse and soon arrested a man and a woman for murder.
NIT earlier reported that police were investigating the death of an infant in Fort Dodge. Over the past few weeks, investigators have continued to gather information, speak to witnesses, all while searching multiple locations throughout the Fort Dodge area in regard to this investigation. As a result of this extensive investigation, 31‐year‐old Fort Dodge Resident Brandon D. Thoma and 24‐year‐old Fort Dodge resident Taylor K. Blaha have been arrested on the following charges:
Brandon D. Thoma
– Murder 1st Degree (A Felony) $1,000,000.00 cash bond
– Abuse of a Corpse (C Felony) $50,000.00 cash bond
Taylor K. Blaha
– Murder 1st Degree (A Felony) $1,000,000.00 cash bond
Reportedly, the couple drowned their newborn baby girl and disposed of its body in an unknown location.
Both are being held on cash bond until their initial appearance before the Webster County Magistrate.
Investigators are continuing to follow up on all credible leads and encourage anyone with information to contact the Fort Dodge Police Department. Information may also be submitted anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Crime Stoppers are still offering a $1,500.00 reward for information leading to the discovery of the newborn’s body.
The Fort Dodge Police Department has been aided in this investigation by many community members and businesses.
The Fort Dodge Police Department has been and continues to be assisted by the following agencies:
* Webster County Sheriff’s Office
* Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations Major Crimes Unit
* Webster County Attorney’s Office
* Fort Dodge Fire Department
* Webster County Conservation
* City of Fort Dodge Street Department
* Webster County Emergency Management
* Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations Crime Scene Team and Criminalistics Laboratory
* Webster County Sheriffs Reserves,
* Iowa SAR (Search and Rescue) K9 unit
* Federal Bureau of Investigation (Des Moines and Omaha Field Office)
* North Central Iowa Regional Solid Waste Agency
* Humboldt County Emergency Management
(PHOTOS of Taylor K. Blaha and Brandon D. Thoma of Fort Dodge)
