IOWA NEWS Iowa woman gets 5 years for abusing kids at home day care

IOWA NEWS

Iowa woman gets 5 years for abusing kids at home day care

PLEASANT HILL (AP) — A 29-year-old Pleasant Hill woman has been sent to prison for abusing children in her home day care.

On Tuesday Christina Williamson was given five years. Williamson had pleaded guilty to two counts of child endangerment.

Prosecutors dropped two other counts in exchange for her pleas.

Prosecutors say a video shows Williamson abusing infants in her home day care on April 21. The video system had been set up by her husband.

Des Moines high school employee faces sex abuse charges

DES MOINES (AP) — A high school girls’ basketball coach in Des Moines is facing charges related to sexual abuse.

The Des Moines Register reports that 46-year-old Gerald “Tig” Johnson, a Roosevelt High School teacher, is charged with sexual exploitation by a school employee and assault with intent to commit sexual abuse with no injury.

Police Sgt. Paul Parizek says Johnson turned himself in at the Polk County Jail Tuesday afternoon.

Des Moines Public Schools officials are not releasing details about the investigation leading to Johnson’s arrest. District spokesman Phil Roeder says Johnson has been put on leave.

Johnson did not immediately reply to the newspaper’s request for comment.

The penalty for a sexual exploitation conviction varies based on whether or not a pattern of sexual conduct is proven.

Teen pleads guilty to manslaughter in Cedar Rapids shooting

CEDAR RAPIDS (AP) — A 14-year-old who pleaded guilty to manslaughter and other charges has admitted in court that he shot and killed a 15-year-old boy in Cedar Rapids.

Station KCRG reports that the boy was tried as a youthful offender. The Associated Press generally doesn’t name minors accused of crimes. Police say the shooting occurred when rival groups met near Redmond Park in September.

Judge Patrick Grady told the boy on Tuesday that he will go through the juvenile system until he is age 18. The judge noted that if the boy does well he might qualify for probation after he finishes time in juvenile custody. The judge also told the boy that if he has problems he could be ordered to serve the rest of his time in the adult system.

Sioux City seeks Vision Iowa grant for all-season park

DES MOINES (AP) — Sioux City park officials say an all-season park planned to open next year could get more than $300,000 from a state tourism program.

The Sioux City Journal reports city officials pitched the Cone Park project to the Vision Iowa board on Wednesday.

The city has requested a $318,000 grant from the state program that funds cultural, entertainment and education attractions.

The $4 million all-season park near the IBP Ice Center will include a sledding hill, ice skating pond and splash pad.

Most of the money will come from philanthropist Ruth Cone who left $2.6 million when she died in 1981.

The city, Woodbury County and Missouri River Historical Development group are also providing funds.