A 5-week-old boy is dead and his mother is facing charges after authorities say she fell asleep while breastfeeding the infant, later discovering him unresponsive in bed beside her.
Background
The tragedy unfolded on Nov. 21, 2025, when deputies with the Marion County Sheriff's Office responded to a home in Knoxville, Iowa — a city roughly 35 miles southeast of Des Moines — after receiving reports that an infant had stopped breathing and had no pulse. Court records reviewed by regional radio stations KNIA and KRLS detail how first responders worked to save the boy before transporting him to a nearby hospital, where he was ultimately pronounced dead.
Brigette Renard, 19, spoke with investigators about what happened that night. She initially told authorities her son had been sleeping in a bassinet, according to reports. She later changed her account, admitting the infant was actually sharing the bed with her and her partner at the time of the incident. The mother stated she had been breastfeeding the baby when she fell asleep.
Renard reportedly woke up to find the boy lying unresponsive next to her.
The Investigation
Investigators seized a bra from Renard's residence as part of their evidence collection, according to KNIA and KRLS. Forensic analysis revealed blood spatter on the garment, and DNA testing suggested the blood belonged to the infant.
Court documents indicate that authorities learned Renard was aware of the dangers associated with co-sleeping. Investigators reportedly discovered she had previously co-slept with another child in the past, and that earlier incident also resulted in the child's death.
Renard has been charged with child endangerment causing death, records from the Marion County Jail show. She was booked into custody on Wednesday.
Key Takeaways
- The 5-week-old boy died after being found unresponsive during a co-sleeping incident at a home in Knoxville, Iowa
- His mother, Brigette Renard, 19, told investigators she had been breastfeeding the infant when she fell asleep
- Police seized a blood-spattered bra from the scene; DNA analysis linked the blood to the child
- Authorities say Renard was aware of co-sleeping dangers because a previous child died under similar circumstances
- She faces one count of child endangerment causing death in Marion County
What's Next
Renard's case remains in its early stages. An autopsy on the infant has been completed, and prosecutors are reviewing the evidence gathered by the Marion County Sheriff's Office to determine next steps in the legal proceedings.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities continue to piece together the events that led to the infant's death.