Hawarden, Iowa — A Hawarden couple face felony charges after their 11-year-old told a teacher that his parents allegedly had been abusing him.
According to court records, authorities believe that on at least three separate occasions from September of last year until now, 35-year-old Matthew Spaans abused his 11-year-old stepson, causing injuries. The documents say the child’s head, neck, face, and legs were severely bruised. The court documents allege that Spaans’ hands, a 56-inch sword, and a clothes dryer were used to inflict the injuries. Authorities also believe the boy was told to make up stories about how the injuries were received or the beatings would be worse the next time.
The child’s mother, 33-year-old Nina Spaans is accused of telling the boy to make up stories about how the injuries were received. She’s also accused of failing to protect him from further trauma.
The court records say that the 11-year-old told one of his teachers about the abuse on Friday, February 3rd, 2017. The Spaans were arrested on Friday, February 17th, according to Sioux County Jail records. Those records say both were released the next day after posting $5000 bail, each.
Matthew Spaans is charged with three counts of Serious Assault Causing Bodily Injury, a serious misdemeanor; and both Matthew and Nina Spaans are charged with three counts each of Child Endangerment Causing Bodily Injury, a class D felony.
Both face an initial court appearance on Tuesday, February 28th.
Hawarden Police officers say they could only document three times that the alleged abuse took place, but they believe it has been going on for a long time.
