March 29, 2024

Babysitter charged with child endangerment to appear in court

A babysitter charged with child endangerment for allegedly dropping a 10-month-old infant boy will have her initial appearance at the Jasper County Courthouse at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.

According to police, the infant’s mother brought the boy to Skiff Medical Center on March 7 after Sara  L. Stepanek informted her at 9 a.m. that morning of a medical issue involving her son. The infant was later flown by helicopter to Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines, where it was determined he suffered acute subdural and retinal hemorrhaging. Police investigated the incident after being notified by the Iowa Department of Human Services.

Stepanek later turned herself in to police and was charged with child endangerment resulting in serious injury, a Class C felony. If convicted, she faces up to 10 years in jail.