Babysitter pleads to lesser charge

A Newton child care provider has pleaded guilty to child endangerment and was sentenced to two years of probation.

Sara L. Stepanek, 54, was charged March 7, 2013 after a 10-month-old infant Stepanek was babysitting suffered acute subdural and retinal hemorrhaging.

Stepanek was initially charged with child endangerment causing serious injury, a Class C felony. She pleaded to child endangerment, an aggravated misdemeanor.

According to court documents, Stepanek notified the child’s mother of a medical issue

about an hour after his mother left him in her care.

His mother took him to Skiff Medical Center and he was later flown by helicopter to Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines where he was diagnosed.

In addition to the two years of probation, Stepanek was ordered to pay $660 in restitution and a $625 fine.