Dad's 1st-degree murder conviction affirmed; killed 4-month-old daughter (Des Moines, Iowa)

We've posted on dad RYAN TROWBRIDGE before. It has never been clarified, as far as I know, what happened to the mother of this baby. She has NEVER been mentioned in any of the news articles I have seen. Was this a single father?

http://whotv.com/2014/03/12/appeals-court-fathers-murder-conviction-upheld/

APPEALS COURT: Father’s Murder Conviction Upheld

Posted on: 9:43 am, March 12, 2014, by Kelly Maricle, updated on: 10:00am, March 12, 2014

The Iowa Court of Appeals has affirmed the first degree murder conviction of an Ankeny man who killed his infant daughter.

In October of 2012 Ryan Trowbridge was convicted of first degree murder and child endangerment resulting in death. Experts testified his 4-month-old daughter Rylee died of abusive head trauma in February of 2010, one-day after Trowbridge called 911 claiming his daughter’s head had become stuck facedown in between the mattress and the headboard.

Trowbridge appealed the conviction, saying the evidence used to convict him was insufficient. He also claimed his murder conviction is precluded by State v. Heemstra. That case precludes the use of another felony based on the same act as the predicate offense for felony murder.

The court ruled there was substantial evidence to support both of Trowbridge’s convictions and the Heemstra case did not apply.

Trowbridge is serving a life prison term.