A Fairfield woman will spend six months in jail following a domestic violence incident that involved a firearm and the presence of children, according to court records from Jefferson County.
Maria Storm Handley, 32, was sentenced Tuesday, January 6, 2026, in Jefferson County District Court after pleading guilty to domestic abuse assault with a dangerous weapon and child endangerment. The judge imposed a 364-day jail sentence but suspended nearly half of it, ordering Handley to serve 180 days behind bars. Prosecutors had requested that the full sentence be enforced.
The charges stem from a July 3, 2024 incident near Fairfield. Authorities were called to a residence on Mint Boulevard following a reported domestic dispute. According to investigators, Handley allegedly pointed a gun at her then-boyfriend, told him “I’m done with you,” and pulled the trigger. The firearm did not discharge.
A minor child was present during the incident and reportedly removed the weapon from the area, preventing further escalation. Court documents indicate that children were exposed to the situation as it unfolded, a factor that played a significant role in the case.
Following the incident, Handley reportedly left the scene, abandoning her vehicle. She was later found several miles away, walking with two young children.
As the investigation progressed, prosecutors initially filed additional charges, including attempted murder and going armed with intent. Those charges were later dismissed as part of a plea agreement that resolved the case without going to trial.
Jefferson County Attorney Chauncey Moulding said the plea deal helped avoid requiring Handley’s minor children to testify in court, noting that such testimony could have caused further emotional harm.
Under Iowa law, domestic abuse assault becomes more serious when a dangerous weapon is involved, significantly increasing potential penalties. Child endangerment charges apply when an adult’s actions place a child at risk of harm, particularly in volatile or violent situations.
While Handley avoided trial on the more serious charges, the case underscores how incidents involving firearms and children are treated with heightened concern in Iowa’s criminal justice system. Plea agreements like this one often reflect an effort to balance accountability with the well-being of minors caught in the middle of domestic violence cases.
