Sheriff Reports: Woman Accused of Using Tainted Lasagna in Alleged Miscarriage Plot

An Iowa woman, aged 36, stands accused of spiking a large tray of lasagna with a controlled substance and delivering it to a family, allegedly intending to harm a pregnant woman in hopes of causing a miscarriage.

This week, Amber Dena Snow was arrested and now faces multiple felony charges. These include two counts of administering harmful substances to adults and juveniles, as well as one count each of attempted nonconsensual termination of a pregnancy and a controlled substance violation, according to court records.

The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies were alerted in early January about a “family-size pan of lasagna” purportedly tainted with a controlled substance. An investigation was launched with the help of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Decorah Police Department, and the Winneshiek County Attorney’s Office to delve into the allegations.

Throughout what authorities described as a “lengthy” investigation, several warrants were issued and executed. Findings allegedly indicated that Snow and another unnamed woman conspired together to lace the lasagna with the substance.

Both women were apprehended and interrogated by police, who claim they were able to quickly piece together the details of their scheme.

“The investigation identified electronic communications and search history on the defendants’ accounts and phones from before and after the lasagna was prepared and delivered to another family on Dec. 28, 2025,” the release states. “During the investigation, it was determined that delivery of the tainted lasagna was intended to cause a miscarriage to a pregnancy of a woman in the family that received the lasagna.”

Snow’s alleged co-conspirator has not been charged.

Police noted that the pregnant victim had “no knowledge” of what was allegedly in the lasagna and did not consent to the controlled substance being included in the food.

The lasagna was sent to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Criminalistics Laboratory for testing, where authorities confirmed the presence of oxycodone.

The Des Moines Register reported that Snow shares custody of her juvenile child with an individual related to the pregnant victim. The juvenile was reportedly aware of Snow’s plan to give the drug-laced lasagna to the pregnant victim and was opposed to the scheme.

Based on the collected evidence, Snow was taken into custody on Tuesday and processed at the Winneshiek County Jail. She is currently being held in custody on a $100,000 cash-only bond, records show.

In addition to the felony charges, Snow is facing one count of child endangerment — knowingly acting in a manner that created a substantial risk to a child or minor’s physical, mental, or emotional health or safety, which is an aggravated misdemeanor.

The defendant is currently scheduled to appear in court for her preliminary hearing on March 23.