Three people face felony charges after authorities say they placed a noose around the necks of two children at Lake Wapello State Park and photographed them last month, according to court records.
Jerry Paul Nelson, 70, Danise Helyne Nelson, 68, and Jennifer Jean Nelson, 38, were arrested last week for the Aug. 11 incident. All three live at the same address in Des Moines.
Jerry, Danise and Jennifer Nelson
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources accuses each of them of three felonies and five misdemeanors, including charges of going armed with intent; conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony; assault with intent to inflict serious injury; harassment and child endangerment, court records show. The felonies are punishable by up to five years in prison apiece.
The incident happened about 2:30 p.m. at a park cabin near Drakesville in Southeast Iowa. Jerry Nelson tied a noose in a rope and hung it from the branch of a cedar tree, according to criminal complaints. The three Nelsons then instructed two children to take a chair from inside Cabin 13 and place it beneath the noose.
They are accused of telling the children "to stand on the chair while a noose was put around their necks and photos were taken," the complaints said. Other court documents show the children are either 16 or 17 years old.
The intentions of the Nelsons and the purpose of the photos were unclear in court documents. The Iowa DNR declined to comment further on the situation. Jennifer Nelson also declined to comment: "We don't want to talk to the press."
The Iowa DNR alleges that the Nelsons were implicated by their own statements about the incident and by photos.
One of the children "has been diagnosed with Asperger's and he stated he wasn't comfortable doing the act but did so to keep the peace," according to a criminal complaint.
Asperger's syndrome can describe someone who has difficulty navigating social situations, expressing feelings and understanding people's intentions.
The other juvenile, also identified in court records only by initials, has the same initials as a child of Jennifer Nelson, according to court records associated with a divorce.
The Nelsons were arrested Saturday and were released from the Polk County Jail after they posted $10,000 bails. A judge has barred them from having contact with the children.
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Jerry Paul Nelson, 70, Danise Helyne Nelson, 68, and Jennifer Jean Nelson, 38, were arrested last week for the Aug. 11 incident. All three live at the same address in Des Moines.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources accuses each of them of three felonies and five misdemeanors, including charges of going armed with intent; conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony; assault with intent to inflict serious injury; harassment and child endangerment, court records show. The felonies are punishable by up to five years in prison apiece.
The incident happened about 2:30 p.m. at a park cabin near Drakesville in Southeast Iowa. Jerry Nelson tied a noose in a rope and hung it from the branch of a cedar tree, according to criminal complaints. The three Nelsons then instructed two children to take a chair from inside Cabin 13 and place it beneath the noose.
They are accused of telling the children "to stand on the chair while a noose was put around their necks and photos were taken," the complaints said. Other court documents show the children are either 16 or 17 years old.
The intentions of the Nelsons and the purpose of the photos were unclear in court documents. The Iowa DNR declined to comment further on the situation. Jennifer Nelson also declined to comment: "We don't want to talk to the press."
The Iowa DNR alleges that the Nelsons were implicated by their own statements about the incident and by photos.
One of the children "has been diagnosed with Asperger's and he stated he wasn't comfortable doing the act but did so to keep the peace," according to a criminal complaint.
Asperger's syndrome can describe someone who has difficulty navigating social situations, expressing feelings and understanding people's intentions.
The other juvenile, also identified in court records only by initials, has the same initials as a child of Jennifer Nelson, according to court records associated with a divorce.
The Nelsons were arrested Saturday and were released from the Polk County Jail after they posted $10,000 bails. A judge has barred them from having contact with the children.
Iowa DNR: 3 people forced children to pose for mock hangings
Three people face numerous felony charges for placing a noose around the necks of two children at Lake Wapello State Park and photographing them, according to court records.
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