Cedar Rapids man found not guilty of child endangerment

A father accused of causing rib fractures and facial bruising to his 46-day-old infant was found not guilty Thursday afternoon by a Linn County jury.

Timothy Shane Holderfield, 26, of Cedar Rapids, was acquitted of child endangerment causing serious injury of his daughter Kaitlyn, now 1-1/2 years-old.

The jury deliberated about 7-1/2 hours over two days after a two and half day trial. The jurors asked to see the videotaped police interview with Holderfield this morning that was played during the trial.

Mike Lahammer, Holderfield's attorney, said after the verdict that Holderfield was "extremely happy and grateful to the jury." Holderfield always maintained his innocence, he said.

Lahammer said Kaitlyn and her brother Adam, 2, remain in the custody of Holderfield's parents at this time. The Department of Human Services took them into custody after Kaitlyn's injuries were reported.

According to testimony, Kaitlyn, then 46 days old, was taken to the hospital by Holderfield Jan. 20, 2011 after he burped her and heard a "popping" noise. Kaitlyn had multiple rib fractures, a broken clavicle and bruises on her face and chest.

A St. Luke's doctor testified the fractures were in different stages of healing and he said the injuries were a result of non-accidental trauma - child abuse.

The defense during the trial argued Holderfield was innocent and suggested Jennifer Woodward, Kaitlyn's mother, who testified, may have accidentally caused the fractures during one of her epilepsy episodes.

Woodward testified for the defense and said she didn't know how Kaitlyn was injured.