Orange City, Iowa — A hearing has been continued in the case of a Hawarden mother who is facing felony charges of child endangerment after her 11-year-old told a teacher he was being abused.
According to court records, a judge had ordered 33-year-old Nina Spaans to have no contact with her children. But Mrs. Spaans is requesting that order be withdrawn, at least infosar as it applies to her youngest child.
According to court records, a hearing on the matter was to have been held on June 12th. However, the State notified the court that its witnesses wouldn’t be available that day, and suggested June 26th instead. Spaans resisted that motion. District Court Judge Jeffrey Poulson ruled that based solely on the unavailability of the State’s witnesses, that the hearing be moved to June 26th. He noted that, “The delay caused by this continuance is in no way to be construed against the defendant’s assertion of her parental rights.”
According to court records, authorities believe that Spaans’ husband, 35-year-old Matthew Spaans abused his 11-year-old stepson, causing injuries. Authorities also believe Nina Spaans told the boy to make up stories about how the injuries were received.
Both Matthew and Nina Spaans are charged with three counts each of Child Endangerment Causing Bodily Injury, a class D felony, and have pled “not guilty.” A jury trial is scheduled for Tuesday, July 18th.
