stazia-kirk

Two former Pella residents have pled guilty to felony charges after they were accused of neglecting an infant child. Zak Herman and Stazia Kirk were arrested on warrants in February, and will plead guilty to one charge each of Neglect or Abandonment of a Dependent Person, a class C felony. Sentencing for the pair, who now reside in Cedar Rapids, will be July 18th. The Pella Police Department received a report–with assistance from the Marion County Attorney’s Office, of an ongoing situation at a residence in the 1200 Block of Broadway Street in Pella, in which investigators learned that a malnourished three month old infant residing in the home had been admitted to the University of Iowa Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Officers say the baby was dehydrated, skeletal in appearance, suffered dramatic weight loss, and was generally unresponsive. Pella Police Chief Robert Bokinsky says the investigation revealed that Herman and Kirk had failed to take the child to scheduled doctor’s appointments as the infant was suffering decline in physical condition for approximately a month. Medical staff declared the child was at a significant risk of death without medical intervention upon arrival at the hospital. Forensic testing also showed the presence of cocaine, according to police. Bokinsky says evidence showed Herman and Kirk were not providing sufficient nutrition and regular care. The two were arrested on warrants over the weekend. The child is now in protective custody. Bokinsky says they were living in Pella at the time of the alleged crimes, as they moved to town for employment.