Day care operators plead not guilty to child endangerment

A Mason City couple who run a day care out of their home have pleaded not guilty to child endangerment.

Cerro Gordo County District Court records say 55-year-old Kyle McLaughlin and 58-year-old Peggy McLaughlin each entered a written plea to the misdemeanor count. Station KIMT reports that her trial is scheduled to begin Dec. 3. His trial is scheduled to begin Dec. 10.

A criminal complaint says a 3-year-old boy left in the McLaughlins’ care went home in December 2016 with a welt and bruise on his lower back. He told his mother than Kyle McLaughlin had spanked him. The complaint says Peggy McLaughlin later told the mother that her husband had “swatted” the boy and another child and said it wouldn’t happen again.

Another criminal complaint says a 20-month-old girl suffered a fractured leg at the home in August 2017 and the McLaughlins didn’t seek medical assistance for her.

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