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Charter Oak woman pleads not guilty to child endangerment in her baby’s death
CRAWFORD COUNTY, Iowa (KTIV) – The mother, of the infant, who died in Crawford County plead not guilty last week to child endangerment. KTIV in Sioux City reports that on Tuesday, Feb. 4th, 22-year-old Sarah Lembke, of Charter Oak, pleaded not guilty to one count of child endangerment, according to court documents. Additionally, Lembke reportedly filed a demand for a speedy trial.
Lembke was charged with one count of child endangerment resulting in death, after she and the baby’s father, 23-year-old Chad Gibbs, were arrested in January. As reported, Gibbs reportedly fell down the stairs while holding the infant which caused the baby’s head to strike the frame of a door. He also reportedly dropped the baby to the ground from a height of three to four feet.
The baby’s father reportedly did not call for medical attention until the infant lost a pulse hours later. Then, medical professionals were called to the scene. According to court documents, Lembke was not observant enough to realize that there was something wrong with the infant. She admitted the baby was crying regularly for five hours and had a bruise on her face, however, she failed to have cautioned the baby’s father may have caused the injuries.
Records reveal Gibbs reportedly has a history of injuring Lembke’s children. Both Gibbs and Lembke were charged with one count of child endangerment.
