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(Council Bluffs) The Attorneys in the State vs. Alison Dorsey Trial presented their opening statements on Tuesday morning in Pottawattamie District Court in Council Bluffs. Dorsey is on trial for the death of an infant while in her care in Massena on October 7, 2019.
Prosecuting Attorney Monty Platz called retired Cass County Deputy Bill Ayers to the stand. The former Deputy was one mile north of Massena at 11:00 a.m. when the Fire and Rescue Page went to 408 Pine Street in Massena for an infant unresponsive and not breathing. The Deputy arrived at the scene four minutes later, and Luka’s father, Nicholas, was performing CPR.
According to testimony, the morning of October 7, 2019, was a typical day. The Hodges’, two older children, had attended Miss Dorsey’s private daycare, but this morning was the first for the twins. Everything was going well; Alison sent the Hodges a Snapchat of the twins at around 8:45 a.m.
Then just before 11:00 a.m. Dorsey called Nicholas Hodges, a teacher at the school just a few blocks away. She was concerned about Luka’s breathing. Hodge left the school to check on his son, and when he arrived, Luka was unresponsive and not breathing. Hodges began CPR and instructed Dorsey to call 9-1-1.
Medics got Luka’s heart going and transported him to CCMH. Luka was transferred to Children’s Hospital in Omaha, where he died the following evening. The family let Luka go after doctors told them he had no brain activity.
During her interview with Ayers, Dorsey stated Luka was in the MamaRoo baby swing when she noticed something was wrong.
The Cass County Sheriff’s Office called the DCI to help with the investigation, which is not unusual when a death occurs. Prosecuting Attorney Monty Platz called Special Agent Dave Hendrix to stand with the Department of Criminal Investigation. Additionally, Luka’s mother, Kaitlin Hodges, took the stand, Tammy Dorscher from the Department of Human Services, and the day ended with Pediatrician Dr. Joshua Kindt.
