WAUKEE, Iowa — EDITOR'S NOTE: This story contains descriptions of an alleged crime that may be disturbing to some.
A Waukee woman is facing life in prison after a Dallas County jury found her guilty for her infant's August 2023 death.
The Thursday verdict found Yemissi N. Keto guilty of Murder in the First Degree and Child Endangerment Causing Death, according to court documents obtained by Local 5.
Police found an unresponsive 1-year-old boy at a Waukee residence while responding to an "unknown problem" that day, according to a criminal complaint filed against Keto. Responders tried to resuscitate the child, but he was pronounced dead on the scene.
While officers were at the residence, they noticed a "strong odor of bleach" and found several bottles of bleach and other cleaning substances around the child, the criminal complaint states. In addition, the floor where the child was found was wet.
Keto, who was 26 at the time of the crime, later admitted to police that she had poured cleaning products on her 1-year-old son's face before suffocating him.
The criminal complaint indicated Keto "admitted these actions were taken with the intent to kill [the child]."
In Iowa, first-degree murder carries a mandatory minimum of life in prison. Keto's sentencing date is set for April 26, 2024.