Child endangerment charges against 2 Iowa 'Angels in Adoption' have been dropped

Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa — Court records say child endangerment charges filed against a Des Moines couple have been dropped.

Both 38-year-old Damien Stovall and 37-year-old Allonna Stovall had been charged in April with a lone misdemeanor count of child endangerment. They were accused of using a belt or wooden spoon to punish two of their children, ages 6 and 7.

Court records say the charges were dismissed without prejudice last week. That means the charges can be refiled.

A referral from the state Department of Human Services led to the investigation, which began in early March.

The Stovalls were recognized by a national program in a September ceremony in Washington, D.C., after adopting four children. The Stovalls were designated "Angels in Adoption."