Charge against mother of young Iowa war protester dismissed

A contributing to the delinquency of a minor charge filed against the mother of a youthful war protester has been dropped.

The charge was filed against Renee Lynn Espeland one day after her daughter, 12-year-old Frankie Hughes, was charged Wednesday with trespassing for allegedly refusing to leave U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin's office.

The misdemeanor ticket against Espeland alleged she encouraged and contributed to her daughter's arrest.

Polk County Attorney John Sarcone said Tuesday that after consultation with Des Moines police it was decided not to go forward with the charge against Espeland.

The incident occurred at the Des Moines Federal Building, where the girl and a woman refused to leave Harkin's office after it closed for the day.

Espeland says her daughter apparently will have to go to Juvenile Court over the trespassing charge.

-- Associated Press

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