Iowa woman sentenced after 3-month-old died of starvation, his twin nearly died

CERRO GORDO COUNTY, Iowa — A north Iowa woman whose three-month-old baby starved to death in 2021 has been sentenced to up to 50 years in prison.

Allyssa Luke, also known as Allyssa Joyce, was sentenced Monday in Cerro Gordo County. In February, a jury convicted her of child endangerment resulting in death and child endangerment resulting in serious injury.

Officials say Luke called 911 on February 28, 2021, because her three-month-old son was unresponsive and not breathing. When first responders arrived at the Mason City home where she was living, they found the child lifeless. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police found Luke’s other four children, including the deceased child’s twin brother, at the Mason City home. All appeared to be suffering from malnutrition, with the worst case being the three-month-old twin. He was admitted to the NICU of a local hospital.

In February of 2023, Luke was charged with the death of one twin and the serious injury of the other. The criminal complaints in the case said she deprived the children of proper nutrition.

Luke was sentenced to up to 50 years for child endangerment resulting in death and up to 10 years for child endangerment resulting in serious injury. Her sentences were ordered to be served concurrently.

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