Student Taken Into Custody After School Threat
(West Des Moines, IA) — A student was taken into custody after a reported threat at Valley Southwoods Freshman High School on Wednesday morning. Police say the juvenile student was removed from campus and sent to Juvenile Court Intake. No violence occurred, no weapons were found, and school operations continued normally throughout the investigation.
Des Moines Man Indicted After Child Exposed To Fentanyl
(Des Moines, IA) — A Des Moines man was indicted on federal drug charges after a three-year-old in his care nearly died from fentanyl exposure in February. Police say 32-year-old Jaylin Starks faces conspiracy and intent to distribute charges after investigators found fentanyl packages and evidence of distribution at his home. The child was taken to a hospital near death and survived after receiving several doses of Narcan. Starks is scheduled to go to trial on October 26.
Governor Signs Health Bill Into Law
(Des Moines, IA) — Governor Kim Reynolds signed the Iowa Make America Healthy Again Act into law on Wednesday in Des Moines. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. joined Reynolds for the signing and praised Iowa’s public health leadership. The new law blocks schools from serving some foods and drinks with artificial dyes and additives, limits student screen time, requires more physical education and bans SNAP funds from being used to buy items like soda and candy.
Former Gymnastics Coach Pleads Guilty
(Mississippi, MS) — A former West Des Moines gymnastics coach pleaded guilty in Mississippi to three federal counts of producing child sexual abuse material. Prosecutors say 39-year-old Sean Gardner used a hidden camera to record minors changing clothes and using the bathroom while he was coaching in Mississippi. The FBI says Gardner also targeted children while coaching at Chow’s Gymnastics and Dance Institute in West Des Moines and at gyms in Louisiana. Gardner faces up to 90 years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 14.
