Couple charged after 5-year-old found with bite marks, bruises

A Jasper County couple is facing child endangerment charges after a 5-year-old in their custody was found with bite marks and bruises covering her body.

Nathaniel L. McClish, 33, of Newton, and 34-year-old Joyce M. Shelton, of Monroe, were arrested March 7 on warrants from the Monroe Police Department. According to initial police reports, the 5-year-old told a teacher and a therapist McClish was hitting and head-butting her.

McClish admitted to police he spanked the victim, which investigators say coincides with a large amount of bruising seen on the 5-year-old’s buttocks. Police also reported bite marks and bruising covering the victim’s body including the face, arms, backs and legs. The victim also told police McClish hit her with a cane, according to reports.

Police said the abuse occurred between May 1 and Sept. 7, 2017, and the 5-year-old was allegedly in McClish’s care at the time of the incident(s).

McClish has pleaded not guilty in the case, and his next scheduled court appearance is set for March 26. In addition to child endangerment causing bodily injury, a class D felony, McClish is also facing charges of neglect of a dependent person in the case.

According to court records, McClish had a domestic abuse-assault charge, third offense, dismissed by Jasper County District Court in July 2017.

Investigators allege Shelton, who is also charged with child endangerment causing bodily injury, knew about the injuries and abuse and ignored the incident(s).

She is scheduled to appear in court March 28 for a preliminary hearing. McClish is still being held at the Jasper County Jail on a $5,000 cash/surety bond.

Monroe Arrests

• Christopher Hare, of Tracy, was charged with possession of a controlled substance at 9:05 a.m. March 9 after officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle he was operating. Hare was also charged with driving while license suspended and failure to have financial liability insurance. He was arrested and transported to the Jasper County Jail.

• Amy Joseph, of Baxter, was charged with possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) at 7:30 a.m. March 13 after officers received a call of a suspicious vehicle. Joseph was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of contraband in a correctional institution after authorities located additional meth on her inside the Jasper County Jail.

• Katherine Lopez-Pereira, of Oskaloosa, was charged with OWI at 2:20 a.m. March 4 after authorities received a call about a vehicle all over the roadway and speeding. Monroe police conducted an investigation and Lopez-Pereira was charged, arrested and taken to the Jasper County Jail.

• Clinton Engelbrecht, of Monroe, was charged with driving while license suspended at 10:30 p.m. March 10 after officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle he was operating. Engelbrecht was arrested and transported to the Jasper County Jail.

From March 4-17, the Monroe Police Department responded to37calls for service.

• Responded to a report of a disturbance at a business. It was a verbal dispute only.

• Assisted Monroe Rescue on a medical call.

• Assisted Monroe Rescue on a second medical call.

• Assisted a stranded motorist on Highway 14.

• Took a report of a possible stolen vehicle from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. The officer was unable to locate the vehicle.

• Assisted Prairie City Police Department with an uncooperative subject.

• Received a parking complaint. The vehicle was tagged.

• Responded to a report of a possible burglary and criminal mischief. The case is under investigation.

• Conducted a vehicle unlock service.

• Responded to a report of a dog at large. The dog was located and the owner contacted.

• Assisted Prairie City police on a domestic disturbance.

• Responded to an alarm at a business. The building was cleared of incident.

• Responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle. The vehicle was located and the situation was normal.

• Responded to a report of a civil dispute over property.

• Responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle. The vehicle was gone upon arrival.

• Responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle at the cemetery. The situation was deemed normal.

• Assisted Marion County Sheriff’s Office in locating a wanted subject. The officer was unable to locate the subject.

• Conducted a paper service.

• Two juveniles were in violation of curfew. They were returned to their parents and warned.

• Open door of business located during security checks.The building was cleared and secured.

• Responded to a 911 hang up. Call was a line problem.

• Assisted Prairie City police on a traffic stop for vehicles racing on Highway 163.

• Responded to 15 miscellaneous calls for service.

• Continued to work on open investigations.

• Conducted checks on vacation houses.

Citations: 42

Warnings: 12

Arrest: 6