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Fort Dodge Homicide Update - ARRESTS
Fort Dodge Homicide Update - ARRESTS
Over the past few weeks, investigators have continued to gather information, speak to
witnesses, all while searching multiple locations throughout the Fort Dodge area in regard to this
investigation. As a result of this extensive investigation, 31‐year‐old Fort Dodge Resident
Brandon D. Thoma and 24‐year‐old Fort Dodge resident Taylor K. Blaha have been arrested on
the following charges:
Brandon D. Thoma
Murder 1st Degree (A Felony) $1,000,000.00 cash bond
Abuse of a Corpse (C Felony) $50,000.00 cash bond
Taylor K. Blaha
Murder 1st Degree (A Felony) $1,000,000.00 cash bond
As with all cases, Mr. Thoma and Ms. Blaha are presumed innocent until proven guilty in
a court of law. Both are being held on cash bond until their initial appearance before the Webster
County Magistrate.
Investigators are continuing to follow up on all credible leads and encourage anyone with
information to contact the Fort Dodge Police Department. Information may also be submitted
anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Crime Stoppers are still offering a $1,500.00 reward for
information leading to the discovery of the newborns body.
The Fort Dodge Police Department has been aided in this investigation by many
community members and businesses.
All available resources and manpower have been utilized to attempt to locate the
newborn’s body and to investigate the circumstances surrounding its birth, death, and the
disappearance of its remains. Investigators have followed up with many leads, utilized electronic
records, spoken to multiple witnesses, and physically searched numerous locations of interest in
an attempt to recover the body. As of the time of this press release, the newborn’s body has not
been located, though the search continues.
At this time investigators are continuing their investigation into this incident. As with all
investigations, video evidence is essential. Anyone who has video surveillance within the area
bordered by Central Avenue and E. Kenyon Road and South 7 th Street and South 12th Street is
asked to contact law enforcement. Anyone with information regarding this incident is
encouraged to contact the Fort Dodge Police. Information may also be submitted anonymously
via Crime Stoppers. Additionally, Crime Stoppers has offered up a $1,000.00 reward for
information that leads directly to the discovery of the newborn’s body.
The Fort Dodge Police Department has been and continues to be assisted by the Webster
County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations Major Crimes Unit, the
Webster County Attorney’s Office, the Fort Dodge Fire Department, Webster County
Conservation, City of Fort Dodge Street Department, Webster County Emergency Management,
the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations Crime Scene Team and Criminalistics Laboratory, and
the Iowa SAR (Search and Rescue) K9 unit.