Columbus Junction man charged with death of infant daughter

By DAVID HOTLE

Golden Triangle News Service

COLUMBUS JUNCTION ? A Columbus Junction man who had been arrested and charged with child endangerment now faces a charge of first-degree murder after the death of his daughter, four-month-old Marleen Jimenez.

According to Iowa Courts Online, Oscar Manuel Jimenez, 20, of Columbus Junction, also faces charges of child endangerment causing death. These were added to a charge of child endangerment ? multiple counts. Jimenez remains in the Louisa County Jail in lieu of a $1 million bond. If found guilty of first-degree murder, Jimenez would face life imprisonment without possibility of parole.

According to Iowa statute 707.2, which defines first-degree murder, one of the criteria is ?The person kills a child while committing child endangerment under section 726.6, subsection 1, paragraph ?B?, or while committing assault under section 708.1 upon the child, and the death occurs under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to human life.?

On Tuesday, Jan. 20, a search warrant was executed at the Oscar Jimenez ? the father of the victim ? residence. On Tuesday evening, Jimenez was arrested for one count of Multiple Acts of Child Endangerment. Both child endangerment offenses are Class B felonies that carry a maximum sentence of 50 years in prison.

Marleen Jimenez, who was hospitalized at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, reportedly for head trauma, died on Jan. 25. An autopsy was performed at the University of Iowa Decedent Care Unit. The results are still pending.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Columbus Junction Police Department, Louisa County Sheriff?s Office, Department of Human Services, Louisa County Attorney?s Office and the Iowa Attorney General?s Office conducted the joint investigation.