Rock Rapids, Iowa — The mother of a child who prosecutors say was murdered in Little Rock has pleaded not guilty to the charges against her.
Court records indicate 25-year-old Sydney Schneidermann of Little Rock was arrested on August 31st on first-degree murder and child endangerment charges. Court documents indicate she did an online search for “shaken baby syndrome” on her cell phone three days before taking her baby boy to the hospital in Rock Rapids on September 10th of last year. Tests in the emergency room found the baby’s vital signs were normal and the infant was released that night, but was back in the ER the next day in critical condition. The baby was flown to a hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he died two weeks later.
At this time, she faces a pretrial conference in November, but that could be pushed back.
Court documents say 27-year-old Brenann Schneidermann, the baby’s father, has been charged with child endangerment causing death. Investigators say his wife sent him a screenshot of her research on “shaken baby syndrome” three days before her first trip to the hospital and his “lack of action to protect” the boy contributed to his death. He faces arraignment on the charge on Monday, September 23rd.
An autopsy revealed the infant had fractured ribs and brain trauma. Doctors in Sioux Falls say the child’s brain swelled and bruising on his neck was consistent with child abuse.
