North Iowa Woman Convicted in 2021 Starvation Death of Child

Almost a year after she was initially charged and, almost three years since her three-month-old infant died, a jury has found a north Iowa woman guilty of starving the child to death.

30-year-old Allyssa Luke of Plymouth was arrested in February of 2023 by Mason City Police, charged with child endangerment resulting in death, a Class B felony; and child endangerment with serious injury, a Class C felony. 

According to the criminal complaints, Luke knowingly created substantial risk to her three-month-old twin boys by deprivation of proper nutrition. That resulted in the death of one infant, while authorities say the other child was near death in Mason City, on or about February 28, 2021.

Luke’s trial began last week in Cerro Gordo County District Court. Tuesday (02.06) a jury convicted her on both counts against her. She is scheduled for sentencing on April 8th.