Honk News (Cedar Rapids, IA) – A Cedar Rapids mother received a sentence of up to 40 years in prison on Friday for inflicting severe abuse on her 3-year-old son, who endured repeated beatings with an electrical cord and other methods over the span of a year.
In a recent ruling, Judge Christopher Bruns of the Sixth Judicial District expressed his disbelief as a parent while sentencing J’Juanna Williams, 26, for her actions towards her son. Among the nine charges, two counts involve allegations of child abuse against Williams’ 5-year-old daughter occurring from October 2022 to October 2023.
Nonetheless, Bruns acknowledged that he had not been in “her shoes” and had not gone through the alleged childhood abuse she faced, nor the mental health challenges — bipolar disorder and schizophrenia — that she battled. However, there is no excuse for her actions. The serious physical and potential psychological harm suffered by the children strongly supported a lengthy prison sentence, he stated.
Williams had earlier entered a plea regarding eight counts of child endangerment. Two of the charges were entered as Alford pleas, where the defendant does not admit to guilt but acknowledges that the prosecution possesses sufficient evidence for a conviction.
Cedar Rapids police were called to a distressing scene on Oct. 22, 2023, where a child was discovered unresponsive and submerged in water. Officers found the 3-year-old unresponsive and unclothed on a hotel bed upon their arrival.
A young child sustained numerous injuries to the face and chest and was subsequently transported to University of Iowa Health Care in Iowa City for medical attention, as the extent and nature of the injuries indicated a pattern of ongoing abuse, according to the complaint.
Read More – 14-year-old Boy Molested 91-year-old Woman Neighbour; Confronted by Investigators in Florida
A 3-year-old was first put into a coma for urgent medical treatment. Following a medical assessment, physicians reported that the child exhibited multiple “classic pattern” or “loop injuries” that are strongly indicative of inflicted child abuse, likely resulting from being struck or whipped with a cord-like object.
Also Read – Missouri Man Shot at Kids and Later Held Them on Gunpoint after They Pulled a Prank on Him: Authorities
Bruns served some of the sentences back-to-back and others at the same time, as outlined in the plea deal, resulting in a maximum of 40 years behind bars. There are no required minimum terms she must fulfill before she can be considered for parole.