Cedar Rapids woman charged with child endangerment at UI Children’s Hospital

Lang
4/13/24

A Cedar Rapids woman is accused of child endangerment after a Friday night incident at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

UI Police were called to the Hawkins Drive facility at 5:30 for a woman who was reportedly yelling and swearing at a crying child in the lobby for what was described as “a decent amount of time”. Witnesses say at one point the woman, identified as Marquita J Calmese Moffett of 15th Street SE…picked up a car seat with her unsecured child still inside and dumped the child face-first onto a couch. The incident was captured on security video.

Police say J Calmese Moffett tried to leave with the child before they arrived. She also allegedly resisted arrest and had to be physically carried to the squad car.

J Calmese Moffett is charged with Child Endangerment and Interference With Official Acts. If convicted on both charges, she faces a maximum of 25 months in jail.