(KTIV) — A Rock Rapids woman has pleaded guilty to an amended felony charge in a case involving life-threatening injuries suffered by an infant.
Court documents state 19-year-old Morgan De Weerd pleaded guilty Wednesday, July 8, in Lyon County District Court to one count of child endangerment involving a substantial risk.
The charge is a Class D felony carrying a possible maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Sentencing to Take Place Later
As part of the plea proceedings, De Weerd requested that a pre-sentence investigation be completed before the court determines her sentence.
She also requested a sentencing hearing and reserved her right to allocution, which allows her to make a statement to the court before the sentence is imposed.
A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
De Weerd had previously entered a written plea of not guilty on May 18. She was originally charged with child endangerment resulting in serious injury, a Class C felony carrying a possible sentence of up to ten years in prison. That charge was amended as part of the plea agreement.
Infant Suffered Life-Threatening Injuries
The case stems from an incident that authorities say occurred at approximately noon on January 30.
According to an arrest affidavit from the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, an eight- to nine-month-old child was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.
A deputy alleged that the injuries resulted from De Weerd’s “neglectful actions.” Authorities said the injuries caused scarring that is believed to be permanent.
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office arrested De Weerd on April 22.
At the time of her arrest, authorities also charged her with misdemeanor possession of marijuana after allegedly finding a THC vape in her possession. The court information provided does not indicate the current status of that charge.
