A Des Moines couple charged with hurting their own child appeared in court Wednesday morning. Both Jonas Neiderbach and Jherica Richardson are charged with multiple acts of child endangerment. Their bond was set at $50,000 each.
Meanwhile, their baby remains at Blank Children's Hospital tonight. Ethan Neiderbach is improving, according to an updated posted on Facebook by his grandfather, Jon Neiderbach. Wednesday morning he wrote, "Ethan is showing signs of improvement -- stable vital signs, return of some reflexes, displeasure and higher heart rate when worked on by the nurses -- but still has a huge way to go, and the outcome is unknown."
The infant and his injuries, including head trauma and broken ribs, attracted the attention of people across the state, including Governor Chet Culver. In a news conference at the Capitol Wednesday he said, "I'm extremely concerned about the allegations and what has happened. My thoughts and prayers go out to this child. We are going to get to the bottom of this."
Neighbors dropped off cards to the home where Richardson and Neiderbach lived with Ethan's grandparents on Polk Boulevard in Des Moines. A young man who answered the door but refused to go on camera said they are asking for everyone's prayers for baby Ethan. People in the neighborhood told Channel 13 they were saddened by the news and could offer little insight.
The organization Prevent Child Abuse Iowa says babies who are severely abused often have life long health problems. But the organization says abuse occurs more often among young parents lacking in outside support -- making this case hard to understand. "This occurred within what seems like a very solid family...It's not what we expect to see," says Executive Director Stephen Scott.
A search warrant that may offer more clues on the case has been sealed for 45 days. Jonas Neiderbach and Richardson are set to appear in court again on July 24th.
Meanwhile, their baby remains at Blank Children's Hospital tonight. Ethan Neiderbach is improving, according to an updated posted on Facebook by his grandfather, Jon Neiderbach. Wednesday morning he wrote, "Ethan is showing signs of improvement -- stable vital signs, return of some reflexes, displeasure and higher heart rate when worked on by the nurses -- but still has a huge way to go, and the outcome is unknown."
The infant and his injuries, including head trauma and broken ribs, attracted the attention of people across the state, including Governor Chet Culver. In a news conference at the Capitol Wednesday he said, "I'm extremely concerned about the allegations and what has happened. My thoughts and prayers go out to this child. We are going to get to the bottom of this."
Neighbors dropped off cards to the home where Richardson and Neiderbach lived with Ethan's grandparents on Polk Boulevard in Des Moines. A young man who answered the door but refused to go on camera said they are asking for everyone's prayers for baby Ethan. People in the neighborhood told Channel 13 they were saddened by the news and could offer little insight.
The organization Prevent Child Abuse Iowa says babies who are severely abused often have life long health problems. But the organization says abuse occurs more often among young parents lacking in outside support -- making this case hard to understand. "This occurred within what seems like a very solid family...It's not what we expect to see," says Executive Director Stephen Scott.
A search warrant that may offer more clues on the case has been sealed for 45 days. Jonas Neiderbach and Richardson are set to appear in court again on July 24th.
