The Fort Dodge Police Department continues to investigate the homicide of a newborn infant in Fort Dodge. According to a press release, a caller to the Webster County Telecommunications Center shared information about a female who had recently given birth to a child at home and that the infant was deceased and later moved to another location.

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. According to a press release from the police department, 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

As with all cases, Thoma and Blaha are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 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.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Webster County Crime Stoppers by texting “LEC” and the tip to 274-637, or by calling 515-573-1444. Crime Stoppers are still offering a $1,500 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.