In a deeply disturbing case that has shocked the community of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Alexandra Marie Frost, a 27-year-old mother, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on August 29, 2025, for deliberately injecting her two-year-old son with insulin, causing him severe illness.
The case, which unfolded at the University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital in March 2023, has drawn widespread attention due to its harrowing details and the serious implications of medical child abuse. Alexandra Marie Frost’s actions, captured on hospital surveillance footage, led to her conviction on charges of child endangerment resulting in bodily injury and administering harmful substances, both Class D felonies.
The Disturbing Incident at the Hospital
The case began on March 13, 2023, when Alexandra Marie Frost brought her two-year-old son to the University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital for multiple medical issues. According to court documents, the toddler was suffering from dangerously low blood sugar levels, requiring immediate medical intervention, including the administration of glucose. Laboratory tests revealed that the child’s insulin levels were unusually high, which was alarming given that he had no medical condition, such as diabetes, that would necessitate insulin treatment.
Medical staff observed that the toddler’s glucose levels would inexplicably drop and then stabilize, creating a pattern that raised suspicions among the healthcare team. Concerned by these anomalies, doctors began to suspect medical child abuse, a form of maltreatment formerly known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy. This condition involves a caregiver fabricating or inducing illness in a person under their care, often to gain attention or sympathy.
To investigate further, hospital staff activated a surveillance camera in the child’s room on March 14, 2023. The footage captured a chilling scene: Frost was seen entering the bathroom of the hospital room and returning with what appeared to be a syringe. She then injected the syringe into her son’s foot, an area not typically used for medical injections at the hospital, as confirmed by the child’s nurse. The toddler, who had been calm prior to the injection, became visibly agitated and screamed in pain afterward. Frost was then seen disposing of the syringe in a sharps container, further corroborating the suspicions of the medical team.
The surveillance footage was pivotal in identifying Alexandra Marie Frost as the sole individual consistently present with the child during his hospital stay. An endocrinologist at the hospital confirmed to authorities that the toddler’s fluctuating glucose levels could only be explained by an external administration of insulin, as the child had no medical need for it.
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Medical professionals emphasized that injecting insulin into a person who does not require it can lead to severe health consequences, including seizures, coma, or even death. The discovery of a small, unbandaged prick mark on the top of the child’s foot—contrary to hospital protocol, which involves administering injections on the bottom of the foot and bandaging the site—further supported the evidence against Alexandra Marie Frost.
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Following this incident, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services intervened, removing the toddler from Frost’s custody. Notably, once separated from his mother, the child’s blood sugar and insulin levels stabilized, and he experienced no further medical issues related to his glucose levels. This development strongly indicated that Frost’s actions were directly responsible for her son’s condition.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
On June 9, 2025, Alexandra Marie Frost pleaded guilty to two charges: child endangerment resulting in bodily injury and administering harmful substances. These charges stemmed from her actions in March 2023, which had initially led to a more serious charge of child endangerment causing serious injury, a Class C felony. However, through a plea agreement, the charges were reduced to Class D felonies, each carrying a maximum sentence of five years.
During the legal proceedings, Alexandra Marie Frost filed a written guilty plea in Johnson County District Court, acknowledging her actions. Despite her plea, she later attempted to withdraw it just days before her sentencing, a motion that was denied by Sixth Judicial District Judge Mike Harris. At the sentencing hearing on August 29, 2025, Frost requested a suspended sentence and probation, arguing for leniency.
However, First Assistant Johnson County Attorney Susie Nehring advocated for the maximum penalty, recommending that the two five-year sentences be served consecutively, totaling 10 years in prison. Judge Harris sided with the prosecution, sentencing Alexandra Marie Frost to a decade behind bars. The decision reflected the severity of the offense, which not only endangered the life of a vulnerable toddler but also violated the trust inherent in the parent-child relationship.
The legal outcome of this case underscores the judiciary’s commitment to protecting children from abuse, particularly in cases involving deliberate harm under the guise of medical necessity. Alexandra Marie Frost’s actions, captured unequivocally on video, left little room for ambiguity, and the court’s ruling sent a strong message about the consequences of such behavior.
Understanding Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy
The Alexandra Marie Frost case has brought renewed attention to Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP), a rare but serious form of child abuse. MSBP, now often referred to as factitious disorder imposed on another, is a psychological disorder in which a caregiver, typically a parent, induces or fabricates illness in a child to gain attention, sympathy, or a sense of control. In Frost’s case, medical professionals suspected MSBP due to the toddler’s unexplained high insulin levels and fluctuating glucose levels, which did not align with any diagnosed medical condition.
MSBP is particularly insidious because it often occurs in settings where the caregiver appears devoted and concerned, making it difficult to detect. In Frost’s case, her presence as the only consistent caregiver during her son’s hospital stay initially masked her actions. However, the vigilance of the hospital staff and the use of surveillance technology were critical in uncovering the truth. The case highlights the importance of medical professionals being trained to recognize the signs of MSBP, which can include unexplained symptoms, frequent hospitalizations, or conditions that resolve when the child is separated from the caregiver.
The psychological motivations behind MSBP are complex and not fully understood. Caregivers with this disorder may seek validation or emotional fulfillment through the attention they receive from medical professionals or others who perceive them as dedicated caregivers. In some cases, underlying mental health issues, such as personality disorders or unresolved trauma, may contribute to the behavior. While the Frost case does not delve into her psychological profile, the diagnosis of MSBP by medical professionals suggests that her actions were driven by more than mere malice, pointing to a deeper psychological disturbance.
The impact of MSBP on victims can be profound, both physically and emotionally. Frost’s son endured unnecessary medical interventions, pain, and the risk of life-threatening complications due to the insulin injections. Beyond the physical harm, the emotional toll of being subjected to such abuse by a trusted caregiver can have long-lasting effects. Fortunately, in this case, the toddler’s removal from Frost’s custody allowed him to recover physically, but the long-term psychological effects remain a concern.
This case also raises broader questions about how society and the medical system can better protect vulnerable children from such abuse. Hospitals are increasingly adopting surveillance measures and protocols to detect MSBP, but prevention and early intervention remain challenging. Public awareness of the disorder is crucial, as is support for mental health resources that may help identify and treat caregivers at risk of engaging in such behavior before harm occurs.
The case of Alexandra Marie Frost is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of medical child abuse and the critical role of vigilance in protecting vulnerable individuals. The swift action of the medical staff at the University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital, coupled with the decisive response of the legal system, ensured that Frost faced accountability for her actions. Her 10-year prison sentence reflects the gravity of her offense and serves as a deterrent to others who might engage in similar acts of harm.
For the community of Cedar Rapids and beyond, this case underscores the importance of safeguarding children from abuse, even when it comes from those closest to them. It also highlights the need for continued education and awareness about Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a disorder that can have catastrophic consequences if left unchecked. As the toddler in this case moves forward in a safer environment, the hope is that he can heal from the trauma inflicted upon him and that this tragic incident will spur further efforts to prevent such abuse in the future.