Iowa childcare worker Stephanie Ubaldo, 20, is accused of killing her newborn after giving birth in a bathroom at the Perry daycare where she worked. Police say she placed the baby in a rubbish bag and left it in a bin, with the case prompting renewed attention to support options for people facing concealed or unexpected pregnancies.

Emergency services were called shortly before 5pm after staff reported that Ubaldo was experiencing vaginal bleeding; she was taken to hospital. Police were later told about the dead infant, and Ubaldo allegedly admitted intentionally injuring the baby’s face to stop it crying. She has been charged with first-degree murder, a Class A felony carrying a possible sentence of life without parole, while authorities noted Iowa’s Safe Haven provisions for surrendering newborns.