22-year-old Ashley Hautzenrader is facing charges after police say she gave birth in a hospital bathroom, then tried to flush the baby down the toilet because she thought it was stillborn. She allegdly entered the bathroom and delivered the baby in the toilet.
According to the investigation, Hautzenrader said she did not know she was pregnant at that time. When she entered and gave birth at the public restroom, she thought the baby was dead because it didn’t cry. She tried flushing the baby down the toilet, but then put the baby in a pillowcase which she placed in the trash can. She then cleaned the bathroom and then left. Hospital employees later found the baby alive.
Officers were able to find Hautzenrader’s whereabouts and she allegedly admitted to the accusation of putting the baby in the trash, claiming she thought the child was dead. She also told them she wasn’t aware she was pregnant.
She faces one count of child endangerment and an aggravated misdemeanor. Hautzenrader was being held in the Johnson County Jail but was later released.
