Hunter
10/20/22
An Iowa City man could face up to five years in prison after allegedly pushing his daughter, causing her to fall and lose consciousness.
The incident occurred just after 7pm October 5th at the North Dubuque Street apartment of 37-year-old David Townsend. Two witnesses reported that they witnessed a child unconscious at the location and showed police a video of Townsend standing over the 6-year-old child, lightly slapping her face as if attempting to wake her up.
Officers conducted a welfare check and found the child had a contusion to her right forehead. She was taken to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, where she remained for several days with an external and subdural hematoma.
The girl was interviewed later at the Unity Point Health Child Protection Center. She alleged that her father was upset with her after she drank some of his tea, and had “accidentally” pushed her while in the bathroom, causing her to fall and hit her head.
Townsend reportedly admitted being upset with his daughter for “stealing” a drink, and that he pushed the girl while he was angry. He added that he did not intend for her to fall.
A warrant for Townsend’s arrest was issued on Tuesday; he was booked at the Johnson County Jail that night. He’s been charged with Child Endangerment causing Bodily Injury, a Class D Felony punishable by a prison sentence of up to five years if convicted.