Associated Press
The parents of a 5-month-old baby who died last year in northwestern Iowa are among three people now charged in the infant’s death.
Lawrence Ruotolo, 20, and Brittanee Baker, 21, both of Sheldon, have been charged with child endangerment causing bodily injury in the July 31 death of their daughter, the Sioux City Journal reported. Stacie Hurlburt, 49, also of Sheldon, has been charged with a misdemeanor count of accessory after the fact, authorities said.
O’Brien County prosecutors say in court records that Ruotolo was caring for the baby on July 26 when he became angry with the infant’s crying and assaulted her, leading Baker to take the baby to a local emergency room. The baby was treated for abrasions and bruising to her head and ears and released, and hospital staff did not notify police or child services of the injuries.