Megan Staude had a baby boy on February 24, 2023, but she didn’t care about his well-being. She put him in a box and ignored him for two days while she contemplated her next move.
She decided to stuff the little guy in a plastic bag while he was still alive, then dump the bag along the road, and her father, Rodney Staude, helped her.
Her coworkers sounded alarms when they noticed she was no longer pregnant.
The child was found dead on March 9, 2023.
Megan and Rodney were eventually arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
Megan pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in July 2024. She returned to court on September 22, 2025. and was sentenced to the maximum of 50 years in prison.
Her father entered a guilty plea at the same hearing, and he, too, was sentenced to 50 years in prison.
Both have to serve at least 35 years before they are eligible for parole. Since Rodney is 67 years old, he will likely die in prison.
DOB:
1997Conviction(s):
- Second-degree murder
Accomplice(s):
- Rodney Staude
Date of crime:
February 26th, 2023Location(s):
Norwalk, IADate of arrest:
March 15th, 2023Details:
Dumped her newborn in a ditch were he died.Confirmed Victim(s):
- Newborn boy
Method:
N/ASentence:
50 yearsCurrent whereabouts:
UnknownSources:
N/ALast Updated on 08/21/2026
