March 29, 2024

Court documents: Sisters spanked, slapped 6 year old who had a bad day

One woman pleads to lesser charge

One of two sisters charged in a child endangerment case in which a 6-year-old child was allegedly spanked and slapped for having a bad day, will be sentenced on a lesser charge.

Jennifer R. McMahon, 27, pleaded guilty to assault causing injury, a serious misdemeanor, and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 20.

Her sister, 27-year-old Jessica L. Burckel, pleaded not guilty to charges and waived her right to a speedy trial.

The two women were each charged with the Class D felony May 21, 2014 after the Newton Police Department was called to assist an Iowa Department of Human Services investigation at a Newton home.

The 6-year-old victim who was in their care sustained deep bruising on his buttocks and had very dark bruising on the right side of his face from being slapped, according to a court document.

When questioned by DHS, both women allegedly admitted to taking turns spanking him as punishment for having a bad day. While the spanking was occurring the child laughed at them which upset the women, according to a court document, and they then slapped him across the face causing the bruise.

Burckel is also scheduled to appear in court on May 20 for a pretrial conference.

Contact Abigail Pelzer at 641-792-3121 est. 6530 or apelzer@newtondailynews.com