Prosecutors in the trial of Zachary Paul Koehn told a court in Mount Pleasant, Iowa that the infant perished after his skin became infected with bacteria after spending up to two weeks in the same nappy.
Assistant Attorney General Coleman McAllister said that 4-month-old Sterling Koehn had been in the same diaper for nine to 14 days when his body was found in the swing at his parents’ apartment in August last, the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports.
The 29-year-old is charged with murder and child endangerment with the boy's mother, Cheyanne Harris, also charged but facing a separate trial at a later date.
McAllister said that the baby's heavily soiled diaper had attracted bugs that had laid eggs, which hatched into maggots.
The resulting nappy rash led to ruptured skin, and e.Coli bacteria set in.
"He died of diaper rash. That's right, diaper rash," McAllister said.
A coroner's report showed the baby died of malnutrition, dehydration and the infection.
Koehn's lawyers argued that the baby's death was a tragedy, but not a crime.
But the prosecution rubbished the defence’s claims, saying Koehn was an experienced parent noting that the accused’s 2-year-old daughter was also in the apartment and was healthy.
They also argued that Koehn had money to buy food and baby supplies adding that he was a drug user.
Nurse and county rescue squad emergency medical technician Toni Friedrich testified that she was the first to arrive at the apartment after Koehn called 911 to report the baby had died.
Friedrich said Koehn showed no emotion when he led her to the dark, hot bedroom where the baby's body was.
The baby's "eyes were open, and it was a blank stare," she said.
Friedrich said when she touched the baby's chest, his clothing was crusty. When she moved his blanket, gnats flew up, she said.
The trial continues.
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