Palo man accused of shoving juvenile into fire pit

A Palo man turned himself in to authorities after they said he pushed a juvenile into a fire pit, causing severe burns.

According to a Linn County Sheriff’s Office news release, deputies were dispatched at 10:35 a.m. Saturday to a splash pad in Palo after receiving a report of a juvenile with severe burns to his head and shoulder. The callers said he had come from 1003 First St. in Palo.

After investigating, deputies determined the juvenile — whose age was not released — had gotten the burns when a man had shoved him into a fire pit, according to the news release. Deputies believed that man was Christopher Wayne Maas, 42, of Palo.

The juvenile was taken to UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Hospital for treatment.

Linn County deputies searched the home at 1003 First St. but were unable to find Maas. According to a news release, Maas turned himself in to Cedar Rapids police and was taken into custody by Linn County deputies.

Maas was booked in the Linn County Jail on charges of child endangerment causing bodily injury and interference with official acts. The incident remains under investigation.

The sheriff’s office was assisted by the Cedar Rapids Police Department, Hiawatha Police Department and Hiawatha Ambulance Service.