Charles City woman pleads guilty to reduced charge in child injury case

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

A Charles City woman has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge regarding alleged injuries to her then-4-month-old child.

Madison Marie Geerts, age 20, and the child’s father, Ezekiel Isaac Larson, age 23, also of Charles City, were both charged with child endangerment causing serious injury, Class C felonies.

Geerts filed a written plea of guilty on Monday to a charge of child endangerment resulting in bodily injury, a Class D felony.

The maximum prison sentence for a Class C felony is up to 10 years. The maximum penalty for a Class D felony is up to five years.

In return for the guilty plea to the lesser charge, the Floyd County Attorney’s Office will recommend a sentence of up to five years in prison, fully suspended; three years of probation; a $1,025 fine plus 15% surcharge, fully suspended; and other costs and fees.

Geerts indicated she will request a deferred judgment, which if approved by the judge, would mean that she pleads guilty, but the judge defers judgment and sentencing and sets up conditions such as probation that the she must meet.

If the she successfully completes all the conditions, the judge will dismiss the case and seal the records, meaning Geerts’ public record will not show the charges or a conviction. The judge retains the power to enter a judgment of guilty and impose a sentence if the deferment conditions are not met.

Floyd County District Court Judge Chris Foy accepted Geerts’ guilty plea on Monday and set a sentencing date of Sept. 5.

Larson, the father, has also indicated he will change his plea from not guilty.

A plea hearing for Larson had originally been set for June 26, but on that day District Court Judge DeDra Schroeder filed an order saying Larson needed more time to meet with his attorney and file a written plea. She set the new date for the plea hearing as Aug. 7.

According to information filed in Floyd County District Court, their child received “severe injuries to his head” while Larson was the sole caretaker on Sept. 6, 2022. Medical attention was not sought for four days, while the child had been vomiting, not eating or sleeping, the criminal complaint alleges.

Geerts was accused of knowing about the injury and also not taking action for four days.