Sheldon, Iowa — A Paullina man has been arrested on a felony child endangerment charge.
Twenty-eight-year-old Johnathan Barnes of Paullina faces allegations of infant neglect, according to documents filed by the Sheldon Police Department in O’Brien County. He was arrested on Wednesday.
In his statement, the officer says medical providers at the Sanford Sheldon Hospital were concerned about the growth of the infant. They requested bi-weekly weight checks, which Barnes did not do. The child was hospitalized for severe malnutrition, and a physician stated that the baby was at serious risk of death due to the level of malnutrition. In-home family services providers were also present in the home at one point before the hospitalization and said they witnessed the child crying and Barnes failing to feed or care for the child.
Barnes was charged with child endangerment causing serious injury, a class C felony. If convicted, he could face up to ten years in prison.
He faces a preliminary hearing on the charge on January 30th.
At last report, Barnes remained in the O’Brien County Jail in Primghar in lieu of bond.
KIWA Staff Photo
