(Radio Iowa) — The Iowa House has passed a bill that would prohibit a judge from overriding a parent’s wishes and ordering the withdrawal of life support from a child under the age of 18. Courts could only intervene if there’s conclusive medical evidence the child’s brain, heart and lungs are only functioning because of mechanical support. Representative Ashley Hinson, a Republican from Marion, says parents, not the courts, should make these decisions. “Children are not supposed to die…but that end-of-life care for children is something that parents must handle,” Hinson says. “This bill…clarifies that the court shall not override a parent’s or guardian’s interest when it comes to removing life support for their child unless it is proven that child is essentially dead.”

The bill had the support of 51 Republicans and seven Democrats in the House. Representative Mark Smith, a Democrat from Marshalltown, voted no. He says the legislation sets up a scenario where a court couldn’t intervene if a child’s parents disagree. “This is a terrible piece of legislation. It is too bad that we are debating it tonight when we are close on the philosophical issues and could have drafted a bill that would have had…the vast majority of representatives supporting it,” Smith said.

The legislation was drafted in response to a high-profile case in Britain. Last April a British court ordered 23-month-old Alfie Evans — who had a degenerative brain condition — taken off life support over the objections of his parents.

Audubon County Attorney Sarah Jennings said Monday, 30-year old Jay Pedrin, of Audubon, pled guilty Monday (March 11th), to charges that include Felony Burglary in the 2nd degree, and Felony Willful Injury Causing Bodily Injury. He had been arrested in September in connection with the assault of a Perry man during an incident that took place Audubon, and again in December for a Burglary in Audubon County.

Jay Pedrin

Pedrin was sentenced to a total of 15 years in prison, the maximum sentence possible for the two offenses. In her statement, Jennings said “Law Enforcement and I are very pleased with this result. Both Mr. Pedrin’s offenses were victim crimes- crimes that have serious and lasting impacts on real people. One was a heinously violent and unprovoked attack that left the victim with permanent physical effects, including partial vision loss. The other was a greed-driven crime has made an upstanding member of our community feel unsafe in his own home, a place that was once his safe haven.”

Pedrin had faced a 10-year sentence on the Burglary 2nd charge and a five-year sentence on the Willful Injury Class D charge. He and his attorney argued for the prison sentences to be suspended and for him to be placed on probation. Jennings argued not only for the prison sentences to be imposed, but that they also are run consecutively to each other for a total sentence of 15 years. The court went along with the County Attorney’s recommendation, sentencing Pedrin to Oakdale Prison on consecutive sentences for a total indeterminate term not to exceed 15 years. The court also ordered Pedrin to pay restitution to the victim as substantiated by the State.

Mittimus was issued immediately after sentencing, but Pedrin was taking into custody and transported to Carroll County first, to address pending matters there. He also has matters pending in Cass County as of this date. His appeal bonds were set at $20,000 on Burglary 2nd charge and $10,000 on the Willful Injury charge.

Red Oak Police responding to a possible domestic violence incident early this (Tuesday) morning, arrested a man and woman on separate charges. Officers were called to the 1000 block of E. Reed Street at around 3:18-a.m.  Upon further investigation, 25-year old Jayme Marie Parker, of Red Oak, was arrested for Domestic Assault/1st offense, and, 25-year old Joshua Michael Parker, of Red Oak,  was arrested for Public Intoxication/2nd offense. Both were transported to the Montgomery County Jail, where Jayme Parker was being held without bond, pending an appearance before the magistrate, and Joshua Parker was being held on a $1,000 bond.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater, Monday night, posted a report on arrests from over the past week. On Saturday, 27-year old Shane Sim Blackford, of Chariton, was arrested on an Adair County warrant for Violation of Probation. Blackford was released later that same day, on a $5,000 cash or surety bond.

Friday night, 23-year old Jason Joseph Joliet, of Adair, was arrested by Adair Police for OWI/1st offense. He was cited and released on bond later that same night. At around 1:10-a.m. Thursday, 20-year old Rayvon Dawn McFarland, of Greenfield, was arrested by Greenfield Police, for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense in connection with an incident involving her live-in partner. She was released later that day after pleading guilty to the offense.

On March 6th, 42-year old Joseph Eric Funke, of Fontanelle, was arrested on an Adair County warrant for Violation of Probation. Funke was subsequently Released on his Own Recognizance (ROR). On March 5th, 48-year old Donald James Noggle, of Stuart, was arrested by Stuart Police, following a domestic incident at his home. Noggle was charged with Harassment in the 1st Degree and also was released on his Own Recognizance.

On March 4th, 25-year old Angelic Lashay Lockheart, of Des Moines, was arrested at a restaurant in Adair, for Public Intoxication, after her PBT (breath test) showed a .156% level of intoxication. Lockheart was released later that same day, on her own recognizance. And, on March 3rd, 36-year old Jason Eugene Sheeder, of Guthrie Center, was arrested at the Guthrie County Jail on an Adair County warrant for Failure to Appear for Contempt of Support Payments. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail, with credit for time served.

(NEWTON) – The Iowa Department of Corrections reports two correctional officers were assaulted by an inmate at the Newton Correctional Facility at approximately 6-p.m., Monday. The assault occurred when an inmate was given a directive by staff, but became hostile towards them.

The inmate was instructed to allow for restraints to be applied, but when the officers attempted to apply the restraints, the inmate became physically combative. An officer suffered a closed fist strike to the head and was also bitten by the combative inmate, while another officer suffered minor injuries while trying to restrain the inmate.

The officers were able to use defensive tactics and restraint techniques to eventually gain control over the aggressive inmate. The inmate involved in the incident did not seem to suffer any notable injuries. The officers involved were seen by institution medical professionals and treated for their injuries.

The incident remains under investigation.