An Ankeny couple face child endangerment charges in connection with the Aug. 25 death of their 7-month-old daughter.
Michelle Atwell, 33, formerly of Perry, and Matthew Cohara, 48, were arrested Wednesday on charges of child endangerment causing substantial risk and on drug charges, including first-offense possession of a controlled substance and first-offense possession of marijuana.
Court records of an Ankeny Police Department search warrant executed in September indicate Atwell left the child sleeping on a bed and later found the child wedged between the bed and the wall. The search of the home also uncovered the illegal drugs.
Atwell and Cohara were released from the Polk County Jail on $1,000 bond each. Polk County District Court Associate Judge Carol L. Coppola ordered both defendants to undergo substance abuse evaluation prior to their preliminary hearing, which is scheduled for Nov. 27 at 8 a.m.
