Father held in child death case free on bond

Sheri Melvold The Quad-City Times

MAQUOKETA, Iowa — The Andrew man accused of watching while his wife allegedly held their 4-year-old son’s head under water is free on bond.

Andrew Holdgrafer, 32, was freed Friday after a bail bondsman from Davenport posted a $50,000 surety bond. Holdgrafer is charged with child endangerment resulting in the death of a child.

He is accused of watching as his wife, Danielle Holdgrafer, allegedly held the head of their adoptive 4-year-old son, Collin, under water in the bathtub on June 12 in their apartment in Andrew. Collin died that evening at Jackson County Regional Health Center. The state has not released the official cause of the boy’s death.

Andrew Holdgrafer’s trial had been scheduled for Sept. 13. During a pre-trial conference Friday, Holdgrafer waived a speedy trial. Another pre-trial conference has now been set for Nov. 19. No trial date has been scheduled.

Previously Holdgrafer asked for a speedy trial and Sept. 13 was set. Jackson County Attorney Chris Raker said Holdgrafer requested the speedy trial now be waived. District Judge Mark Smith approved the request Friday.

In June, District Judge Nancy Tabor set some pre-trial release requirements. Holdgrafer is required to wear an electronic monitoring device and cannot leave Maquoketa.

“He’s wearing an ankle bracelet,” Renee Behr, probation/parole officer, said. She said it allows her to track his whereabouts.

Behr said Holdgrafer is required to abide by a curfew to be at his residence between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. daily. Behr declined to say where Holdgrafer is living.

Danielle Holdgrafer has a pre-trial conference Sept. 17. No trial date has been scheduled. She has not requested a speedy trial.

Danielle Holdgrafer is in custody in Jones County Jail on $200,000 cash bond. She is charged with first-degree murder; child endangerment resulting in death and two counts of child endangerment causing bodily injury. Three of the charges are related to Collin’s death. The fourth child endangerment charge allegedly is connected to another adopted son, Darrian, according to court documents. Details of the alleged abuse were not listed in court records.