Orange City, Iowa — The trial of a former Sioux County Sheriff’s Deputy and his wife has begun.
According to the Sioux County Sheriff and the Sioux County Attorney’s offices, nearly a year ago, Caleb and Jill Haverdink of Maurice were arrested on seven counts of Neglect of a Dependent Person, which are Class C Felonies. They also face some misdemeanor charges. The sheriff and attorney’s offices say the charges are the result of a criminal investigation conducted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
According to the complaint and affidavits, the Haverdinks allegedly had prior knowledge of a child in their care committing numerous acts of sexual abuse and sexualized acts against other children and “took no meaningful action or actions to mitigate the sexual abuse or protect the children under their care.” The complaint says, “Their inaction put children under their care at high risk of victimization for sexual abuse.”
The Haverdinks pleaded not guilty last April. The trial is expected to last several days.
