MARCUS, IA (Northwestiowanow) — A Marcus woman is facing a felony child endangerment charge following a 2023 incident that left an infant hospitalized with serious injuries.
A warrant was served Thursday, April 9, for 57-year-old Teresa Kay McDaniel, charging her with child endangerment causing serious injury, a Class C felony.
Court records show Sean and Bailey White of Cleghorn left their two-month-old infant in McDaniel’s care on Thursday, December 7, 2023. The child reportedly had no medical issues prior to being dropped off.
When the infant was picked up later that day, he was described as inconsolable, crying intensely. The child was taken to Cherokee Regional Medical Center shortly before midnight. Due to the severity of his condition, the infant was later transferred to the Pediatric Critical Care Unit at Avera Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Medical evaluations found the child had suffered subarachnoid bleeding, subdural hemorrhage, retinal hemorrhages, and seizure activity. A pediatric specialist concluded the injuries were consistent with shaken baby syndrome.
McDaniel denied harming the child during an interview with law enforcement but acknowledged she was the only adult caregiver present at the time the injuries were believed to have occurred.
An investigation by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services later named McDaniel as the perpetrator, according to court documents.
McDaniel was booked into the Cherokee County Jail and released the following day after posting a $10,000 bond.
Separately, the child’s parents filed a civil lawsuit against McDaniel in July 2025, alleging negligence and misrepresentation. A jury trial in that case is scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, in Cherokee County District Court.
