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Charter Oak Couple Plead Not Guilty to Child Endangerment After Infant's Death
A Charter Oak couple has pleaded not guilty to charges of child endangerment after the death of their three-week-old infant from severe injuries. Court records from Crawford County District Court indicate that 23-year-old Chad Eugene Gibbs Jr. allegedly caused harm to the child earlier this year, after falling down stairs and dropping the two-week-old baby from a height of three to four feet. The child’s mother, 22-year-old Sarah Marie Lembke, is accused of failing to seek medical attention despite noticing bruising on the baby's face and her continuous crying for about five hours.
The infant later died due to the extent of the injuries. Both Gibbs Jr. and Lembke are currently held in custody at the Crawford County Jail. The bond for Lembke has been set at $50,000, while Gibbs Jr.'s bond has been increased to $100,000 following a bond review motion. Lembke is facing charges of child endangerment resulting in death, a class B felony, which could carry up to 25 years in prison and a $100,000 fine if convicted. Her jury trial is set for March 11 at the Crawford County Courthouse.
Gibbs Jr. is charged with first-degree murder, a class A felony, and child endangerment resulting in death, a class B felony. He is facing the possibility of a life sentence in prison without parole. His trial date is yet to be scheduled.
