Woman who became 'frustrated' at nap time charged with causing death of toddler
A 28-year-old woman has been charged with child endangerment causing death following the tragic death of a toddler she was looking after.
Hannah Priest, a daycare provider, allegedly told the police she became "frustrated" with 23-month-old Sebastian Jespersen around nap time as the toddler had not yet gone to the bathroom. It is alleged that on January 19 this year, Priest set the boy into his cot by his shoulders and, according to court documents, the woman told officials she "may not have known her own strength when doing so".
Emergency services were called to 1605 Eighth Street in Emmetsburg, Iowa, after reports of an unresponsive child. The little boy was taken to Palo Alto County Hospital and then transferred to Blank Children's Hospital in Des Moines, where he was pronounced dead on January 24.
Sebastian Jespersen died back in January (Legacy.com)An Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner investigation revealed Sebastian died of head trauma consistent with inflicted injuries. Priest was arrested on Friday and is being held on a $50,000 cash-only bond.
The baby boy, who would have turned two on February 23, was laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery in Emmetsburg on January 31. His obituary says Sebastian loved playing with dinosaurs and cars and enjoyed all kinds of animals, especially his cat and dogs.
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The toddler had "big brown eyes and long eyelashes" that "melted the hearts of anyone who knew him". He was described as "a hero" who "changed the lives of individuals he had never met".
The obituary reads: "Sebastian Lee Jespersen, son of Alex Jespersen and Seantele Eppes, was born February 23, 2021 at the Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg, Iowa. He weighed 6 lbs 3 oz and was 18 inches long. He was welcomed into his loving home by his mom, dad and big sister, Kylea.
"As Sebastian got older, he really liked playing with dinosaurs and cars and he enjoyed all kinds of animals, especially his cat and dogs. His favorite color was yellow and pretty much every color he looked at was 'yellow' Sebastian loved being outdoors when the weather was nice.
"His big brown eyes and long eyelashes melted the hearts of anyone who knew him. His grandparents, great grandma, aunts, uncles and cousins enjoyed every minute they spent with Sebastian, who soon became known to his family as simply 'Bash'."
It adds: "A writer once wrote...'There is no footprint too small to leave an imprint on this world.' At the very young age of 22 months, Sebastian Jespersen changed the lives of individuals he had never met. He truly was a hero."
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