Parson pleas not guilty, trial May 13

RED OAK — A Red Oak man accused of severely injuring his 12-week-old daughter pleaded not guilty to child endangerment charges last week. 

Parson entered the written plea Monday, March 31 through his state-appointed attorney, Deshawne Lee Birdsell. His scheduled trial date is May 13. 

Parson was arrested Feb. 28, three days after his unconscious daughter was taken to an Omaha hospital. She remained in an intensive care unit where she was treated for severe head injuries. According to court records, the doctor who treated the child determined she had suffered  “many brain bleeds” consistent with excessive shaking.

As a result of the felony charge, an application was filed March 21 to revoke Parson’s probation stemming from a theft conviction. 

Parson was placed on two-years probation following a November 2012 guilty plea to felony theft charges. 

In addition to the probation period, Parson received a suspended five-year prison sentence, which would be imposed should he be convicted on the child endangerment charge. 

The theft charges stemmed from Parson’s involvement in a $3,500 theft from Kum ‘N Go in September 2012. 

Felony charges were also filed against two women, Alicia Terry and Dawn Stephens. Charges were dropped against Stephens while Terry was placed on two years probation and ordered to pay a $750 fine with a deferred judgment ruling on the charges. 

In 2011, Parson was found not guilty of lascivious acts with a child (touching or fondling) in a bench trial before Judge Mark Eveloff. 

Parson currently remains in custody on a $10,000 bond in the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center.