Suspect in North Liberty child abuse also accused of assaulting officer

A North Liberty woman accused of abusing her boyfriend's child while he watched earlier this week now faces a charge of assault on a peace officer after authorities say she became physically aggressive at the Johnson County Jail.

Reports indicate that Natasha M. Jones, 26, of 81 Golfview Drive, confronted deputies in her cell block and threatening to harm herself around 10 a.m. Wednesday, just after she was taken into custody.

Johnson County Sheriff's Office records indicate that Jones threw wet toilet paper at the video camera in her cell and allegedly spit in the hair and face of a deputy who was placing her in a restraint chair.

Jones was first taken into custody at approximately 1:50 a.m. Tuesday, after officers found a toddler with severe bruising on the head, back and groin area at her residence.

Jones allegedly inflicted the abuse on the child. The child's father, Derrick A. Robe, 21, is accused of child endangerment after police say he witnessed the abuse and did not intervene or call for help.

Jones has been held at the Johnson County Jail on a $12,500 cash bond since Tuesday. Robe has remained in custody on a $10,000 cash bond.