Teen charged with infant son’s death back in custody

The Des Moines teenager who was charged in the death of his infant son is back in custody after allegedly violating his pre-trial release terms by drinking alcohol and breaking curfew, court documents show.

Drew James Weehler-Smith, 17, is in custody of the Polk County sheriff’s office on a $525,000 cash bond, authorities said.

Weehler-Smith was charged with first-degree murder and neglect of a dependent person after his 4-month-old son, Gabriel King McFarland, was found dead April 22.

McFarland’s biological mother, Markeya Atkins, had left the child alone with McFarland in her Des Moines apartment around 7:25 p.m. on April 22. Atkins returned home to find the baby unresponsive. A medical examiner said McFarland died from abusive head trauma.

Authorities later found and arrested Weehler-Smith. He was released June 3 after an $80,000 cash bond was posted.

Weehler-Smith violated his terms of release by consuming alcohol and breaking curfew July 3, according to court documents. He was ordered to be taken back into custody by the Polk County sheriff’s office.

Weehler-Smith’s jury trial is set for 9 a.m. Aug. 4. He has entered a written “not guilty” plea, according to court documents.

Before his arrest, Weehler-Smith was a junior at Des Moines Roosevelt High School.

Atkins, McFarland’s 15-year-old mother, gave up the baby for adoption to Rachel and Heidi McFarland, both 34, of Ankeny.

The McFarlands had to give up Gabriel on March 13, when Atkins decided she wanted him back. McFarland had only been living with Atkins for about a month before his death.