Coralville mom accused of assaulting autistic son

IOWA CITY - A Coralville woman is accused of assaulting her autistic son while she was drunk.

Iowa City police were called about 7:30 p.m. Thursday to 2640 Whispering Prairie Ave. for a report of a woman assaulting her son. By the time officers arrived, Joni A. Reed, 33, and her 11-year-old son were separated. Police said the boy had bruising above his left eye, complained of head pain and had scrapes on his forearm.

Authorities said Reed admitted to drinking vodka and submitted to a breath test that showed her blood alcohol content to be .174 percent.

Reed was arrested and faces one count of child endangerment causing bodily injury, a Class D felony; and two counts of child endangerment, an aggravated misdemeanor, for being intoxicated while caring for her two children.

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