Orange City, Iowa — At least one member of a Hawarden couple facing felony charges of child endangerment — after their 11-year-old told a teacher he was being abused — looks to be considering a plea agreement.
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. Authorities also believe the child’s mother, 33-year-old Nina Spaans told the boy to make up stories about how the injuries were received.
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 have entered “not guilty” pleas, however according to the Sioux County Clerk of Court’s Office, Matthew Spaans’ attorney has requested his pretrial conference to be pushed back to June 12th, while plea negotiations continue. Both Nina and Matthew Spaans were to have had pretrial conferences yesterday (Monday, May 15th), but there’s no word at this hour on whether Nina Spaans is also considering a plea agreement.
A jury trial is scheduled for Tuesday, July 18th.
