Three individuals from Des Moines face several charges after authorities say they placed nooses around the necks of two teenagers at a state park in Davis County.
38-year-old Jennifer Nelson, 68-year-old Danise Nelson, and 70-year-old Jerry Nelson have each been charged with two counts of going armed with intent, conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony, two counts of assault with intent to inflict serious injury, two counts of first-degree harassment, and child endangerment.
On August 11, court records say Jerry Nelson tied a noose and hung it from a cedar tree outside of Cabin 13 at Lake Wapello State Park in Drakesville.
The three Nelsons then allegedly told a pair of teenagers aged 16 and 17 to bring a chair from the cabin, put it under the tree, and stand on it after the nooses were placed around their necks. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says photos of the teenagers were taken.
Court documents say one of the teens was diagnosed with Asperger’s and did not feel comfortable doing what was instructed but complied to “keep the peace.”
All three defendants were arrested and placed in the Polk County Jail. The trio are currently free after each posted a $10,000 bond.
