Murder charge dropped in Andrew child’s death

A first-degree murder charge has been dismissed against Danielle Holdgrafer, 30, in the death of her 4-year-old adopted son, leaving her to face several lesser charges.

Holdgrafer was accused of killing Collin Holdgrafer on June 12 in the family’s apartment in Andrew, Iowa.

Jackson County District Judge Marlita Greve approved the county attorney’s request for dismissal of the murder charge.

Holdgrafer still faces charges of child endangerment resulting in death and two counts of child endangerment resulting in bodily injury.

Jackson County Attorney Chris Raker filed the request for dismissal, saying the state does not believe that it has sufficient evidence to proceed with the first-degree murder count. He was not available for further comment.

A pretrial conference on the other three charges is scheduled at 10 a.m. Oct. 29 in Jackson County District Court.

Danielle’s husband, Andrew Holdgrafer, died from cardiovascular disease Sept. 4 in Maquoketa. He had been charged with child endangerment resulting in death.

Court documents say Danielle Holdgrafer intentionally held Collin’s head under water in a bathtub in their apartment in Andrew. The child was pronounced dead at Jackson County Regional Health Center later that evening.

She is being held in Jones County Jail in $200,000 cash bond.