Lawrence woman charged with endangering child

Douglas County prosecutors have charged a 22-year-old Lawrence woman with endangering a 5-month-old child over recent months.

Police and prosecutors said little about the case Wednesday or any possible injuries to the victim or another 5-year-old child listed as a victim in the case that also includes two counts of misdemeanor battery.

But the three charges were filed against Kayla N. Brown, who Lawrence police arrested Tuesday evening at her home in the 1400 block of Haskell Avenue. A judge Wednesday afternoon set her bond at $2,500 and ordered her to have no contact with the two victims or to serve as a caretaker or baby sitter for any children younger than 13. Brown posted bond Wednesday evening.

According to the charge that lists the younger child as the victim, prosecutors accuse Brown from Feb. 1 to April 15 of recklessly causing or permitting the child “to be placed in a situation in which the child’s life, body or health is injured or endangered.” Prosecutors allege the older child was battered between April 1 and April 15.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson said the children, who were only identified by their initials in the complaint, were related to Brown, but further information was unavailable.

Brown did start to say something in court about taking her son to a doctor, but Pro-Tem Judge James George cut her off, saying the purpose of the hearing was simply to set her bond in the case. She is next due in court at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.