Young Charles City parents plead not guilty to child injury charge

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

Two Charles City parents have pleaded not guilty after having been charged with child endangerment regarding alleged injuries to their 4-month-old child.

Ezekiel Isaac Larson, who will turn 23 this week, and Madison Marie Geerts, age 20, are both charged with child endangerment causing serious injury, a Class C felony.

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

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

Larson and Geerts were both released under the supervision of the Iowa Department of Correctional Services. The infant is currently under care arranged by the Iowa Department of Human Services.

Separate trials for Geerts and for Larson have both been set for Dec. 20 in Floyd County District Court.