Iowa child care provider charged in the death of a nearly 2-year-old boy
A child care provider was charged in the death of a nearly 2-year-old boy in Emmetsburg, Iowa.
Hannah Priest, 28, was arrested Friday on a $50,000 cash-only bond for a charge of child endangerment causing death. An Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner investigation revealed the toddler, Sebastian Jespersen, died of head trauma consistent with inflicted injuries, according to a news release.
Emergency crews were called to 1605 Eighth St. on Jan. 19 to find the baby unresponsive. He was transported to Palo Alto County Hospital and then Blank Children's Hospital in Des Moines, where he was pronounced dead Jan. 24, according to the release.
Court documents say Priest allegedly told police she was frustrated with Sebastian around nap-time because he had not gone to the bathroom that day. Priest allegedly set the toddler into his cot by his shoulders out of frustration. She told officials that she "may not have known her own strength when doing so," court documents say.
According to Sebastian's obituary, he loved playing with dinosaurs and cars. He enjoyed all kinds of animals, but especially his cat and dogs. His favorite color was yellow.
"His big brown eyes and long eyelashes melted the hearts of anyone who knew him," the obituary said.
Noelle Alviz-Gransee is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Follow her on Twitter@NoelleHannika or email her at NAlvizGransee@registermedia.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Emmetsburg child care provider charged in death of 2-year-old boy
