A Newton babysitter accused of causing serious head injuries to a child her care will not spend time in jail after pleading guilty. Fifty-four-year-old Sara Lynn Stepanek was accused of causing the injuries to an 11-month-old boy in March of last year.
The child was dropped off at Stepanek’s home at 7:45 on March 7th and she called the child’s mother at 9 a-m saying there was a medical issue. The child was taken to the Newton hospital and then transferred to Des Moines where doctors diagnosed the head injuries. Stepanek’s trial was set to begin Monday (Sept.29th), but she pled guilty to child endangerment and she was put on two years of probation and fined 625 dollars, and has to pay 660 dollars in restitution.
Stepanek will avoid jail time if she follows the rules of her probation.
By Randy Van, KCOB, Newton