Jacob Burns and Lacy Eiteman have pleaded not guilty to child endangerment resulting in the death of an infant. 

According to court records, on September 30th the Marion County Sheriff’s Office received a call at 1130 180th Ave. in Marion County for an unresponsive three-week old. When arriving on scene there was contact made with Burns and Eiteman. The child was confirmed deceased inside of a shed that was made into makeshift living quarters. Both Burns and Eiteman were in caretaking roles of the child, according to police.

During the course of law enforcement’s investigation, they learned that the couple had allegedly been using alcohol and methamphetamine on September 29th and into the early morning hours of the 30th before falling asleep in bed with the infant. Burns then woke up and the infant was lying between him and Eiteman unresponsive and not breathing with multiple bruises. Drug paraphernalia was found on the scene and tested positive for methamphetamine. 

According to the Marion County Attorney’s Office, the state is seeking to try both of them together. If they wanted to be tried separately, a judge would have to grant that request. Both have filed written arraignments and have pleaded not guilty. Burns sought to have his bond lowered on Thursday but the request was denied. Both are charged with abandonment/neglect of a dependent person and child endangerment resulting in death.