March 18, 2024

Trial date set for child endangerment, sex abuse case

A Newton man charged with second-degree sexual abuse and child endangerment nearly two years ago will appear in court this month for a jury trial.

Christopher L. Riggs, 26, was arrested June 16, 2015 after being accused of punching a 2-year-old child in the genitals, hitting a 4-year-old child in the mouth as well as sexual abusing a 11-year-old child.

Riggs will appear for a jury trial at 9 a.m. March 15.

According to police reports, the child’s mother said Riggs punched the 2-year-old in the genitals, causing a bruise. When officers spoke to the 11-year-old victim, she said that Riggs hit the 4-year-old in the mouth, causing a swollen, split lip and loose tooth.

When asked by officers if he had ever done anything to her, the victim said that three to four weeks ago before his arrest that he sexually assaulted her. Riggs allegedly told the victim that she could not tell anyone and he said, “I could go to jail for a long time.”

Contact Kayla Langmaid at
641-792-3121 ext. 6513 or klangmaid@newtondailynews.com