Muscatine woman faces endangerment charges against child that was about to be adopted

By Melissa Regennitter of the Muscatine Journal

MUSCATINE, Iowa — A Muscatine woman has been charged with child endangerment resulting in serious injury of an infant boy in her care, according to documents filed at the Muscatine County Courthouse.

Melanie Leathers Addington, 29, allegedly shook and slammed 2-month-old Tyler Addington causing permanent brain injury. The complaint further alleges that the infant was in her care and was about to be adopted by Leathers Addington. The incident took place on Sept. 5, at Leathers Addington’s home, 2111 Bidwell Road, Apt. B 11.

The child is at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and is critical condition.

Child endangerment resulting in serious injury is a class C forcible felony punishable by a mandatory prison sentence of a term not to exceed ten years. If convicted, Leathers Addington would not be eligible for any form of probation.

Addington is being held in the Muscatine County Jail on $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing at 8:30 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 18.

The arrest was the result of an investigation by the Muscatine Police Department.