Sigourney Man Charged in Death of Oskaloosa 4-Month Old
Johnny Dale Jr.
An Iowa Department of Criminal Investigations Press Release
DES MOINES, Iowa — On June 19, 2019, 21-year old Johnny Dale Jr., of rural Sigourney, was arrested and charged with Child Endangerment Resulting in Serious Injury (Class C Felony). Mr. Dale was taken to the Mahaska County Jail, where he was held on a $250,000 bond.
Since that time, the charge against Mr. Dale has been changed to Murder in the First Degree (Class A Felony). The charge against Mr. Dale follows an investigation by the Oskaloosa Police Department and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation into the injuries and death of 4-month old Kane Bruns.
On June 16, at approximately 10:45 a.m., Kane’s mother found him unresponsive at his Oskaloosa home. He was taken to the Mahaska County Hospital and airlifted to Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines. This morning Kane died as a result of the injuries inflicted upon him by Mr. Dale, who was the primary caregiver for Kane on June 16.
Mr. Dale is in custody at the Mahaska County Jail on a $1,000,000 bond.
The criminal complaint filed by Oskaloosa Police Lieutenant Gary McClun states:
On the 16th day of June, 2019 this Officer, McClun was dispatched to Mahaska Health Partnership in regards to suspected child abuse. Upon my arrival I learned that a 4 month old (K.R.B.) was admitted to the emergency room with seizure like symptoms. Medical staff advised that the baby was suffering from a brain injury and bleeding on the brain.
The defendant was identified as the boyfriend of (K.R.B.)’s mother. The defendant was left alone with (K.R.B.) from 9:30 p.m. on the 15th of June until approximately 2:00 a.m. on the 16th of June. The mother of the baby advised that the baby was his normal, happy, go lucky self when she left for work at 9:30 p.m. The mother stated that upon seeing the baby again at 2:00 a.m., the baby had a bruise on its forehead, was visibly pale and would not wake up. The mother stated that she wanted to get the baby checked out and the defendant refused and told her to wait until the following morning.
In an interview with the Department of Criminal Investigations the defendant made admissions that he was frustrated with the baby during the night. The defendant made admissions that he was “bouncing” the baby on an air mattress in an attempt to get the baby to sleep. The defendant acknowledged that his actions likely caused the injuries to (K.R.B.).
Medical staff reported to law enforcement that (K.R.B.) had suffered severe injuries that are consistent with child abuse. Medical staff reported severe injuries to (K.R.B.)’s brain and spinal cord.
The defendant was the only person present with (K.R.B.) at the time he sustained the injuries. The defendant was the caregiver at the time the injuries were sustained.
As a result of the injuries, (K.R.B.) died at approximately 9:10 a.m. on the 21st day of June, 2019.
A criminal charge is merely a criminal charge and not an indication of guilt. All suspects should be considered innocent until proven guilty.
