Plymouth woman’s child endangerment, death trial begins
(ABC 6 News) – A Plymouth woman is on trial for child endangerment that allegedly occurred in Mason City back in 2021.
Allyssa Luke faces two counts of child endangerment — one of which resulted in the death of her son in February 2021.
Her trial began with jury selection Monday, Jan. 29, and witnesses gave testimony Tuesday.
On Tuesday, jurors heard from the responding firefighter and police officer, as well as a friend of Luke’s who was there when Luke noticed her son was not breathing and called 9-1-1.
According to the first responders, when they arrived, Luke’s twin babies were in poor condition. Abel was not breathing, and Brennan was malnourished, they said.
When first responders arrived Luke’s twin babies….Abel was not breathing and Brennan were found malnourished…Abel passed away….
Sgt. Terry Prochaska with the Mason City Police Department described executing a search warrant and looking for baby formula or breast milk in Luke’s home.
“It came to the point where nobody could find a bottle to mix the formula in, so I looked right at Allyssa and I said ‘start breastfeeding Brennan now,'” Prochaska recalled.
Dr. David Hartsuch, an emergency medicine physician, testified about Abel Luke’s condition upon arrival at the hospital.
“Basically the child was dead and had lividity and also what appeared to be dehydration,” he said.
Allyssa Luke turned away, sobbing, when the picture was shown.
The trial is scheduled to resume Wednesday at 9 a.m.