Iowa City woman accused of putting toddler at risk

IOWA CITY - An Iowa City woman who had temporary custody of a child is accused of returning that child to his mother despite knowing doing so would put the child at risk.

The child later suffered a life-threatening emergency and had to be hospitalized, police said.

According to an Iowa City police criminal complaint, on March 16, 38-year-old Danyell L. Blaxton gave a toddler she was temporarily caring for to the boy's juvenile mother. Police said Blaxton knew the boy's mother was 'actively involved in drug use (and) prostitution” and had a warrant for her arrest for absconding from placement.

Blaxton has been arrested and faces one count of neglect or abandonment of a dependent person, a Class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

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