An Ames woman accused of murder allegedly strangled her

newborn infant daughter.

Ann McGowan, 34, 1118 N. 3rd St., was charged with first-degree

murder Sunday, said Sgt. Mike Johns of the Ames Police

Department.

Johns said McGowan went to the Mary Greeley Medical Center

Saturday to receive medical assistance for problems related to

giving birth.

“She went to Mary Greeley because of internal bleeding,” he

said.

When McGowan was admitted to the hospital, the staff noted she

had symptoms of recently giving birth.

Johns said a staff member called the police because McGowan

denied the birth and they feared an infant was in need of medical

assistance.

Johns said officers found the infant at the residence around 9 p.m.

Saturday. He would not comment on the location of the

newborn.

There is speculation that officers found the infant inside of a

garbage can, but Johns said he would “not confirm it or deny

it.”

McGowan was served a warrant at 5 p.m. Sunday at Mary

Greeley.

Johns said McGowan was in the hospital until Monday morning

when she was released to the police and processed at the Ames

Police Department. She was then transferred to the Story County

Jail where she is being held on $250,000 bond.

The discovery of the crime and McGowan’s arrest took place in

less than two days.

Johns said a man by the name of Patrick Condon, who lives with

McGowan, was questioned as a witness but is not a suspect.

It is not known if Condon is the father of the infant.

Condon refused to comment.

Story County Attorney Steven Holmes said the decision to charge

McGowan with first-degree murder was a decision made in

conjunction with the Ames Police Department.

“The facts warrant the charges,” he said.

Holmes said this is the first time he’s had to deal with a case of

this nature.

He said he could not comment any further about this case.