Hastings child abuse case heading to district court

A Hastings woman, Jade Essink, 23, is facing charges of child abuse following a preliminary hearing in Adams County Court. The judge found probable cause for a felony charge of negligent child abuse, and the case is set to proceed to the Adams County District Court in April.

Essink was running an unlicensed private daycare in Hastings when an incident occurred on December 11. According to her statement to police, a 3-year-old child accidentally collided with a 1-year-old, causing the 10-month-old to fall into a fireplace. The Hastings Police responded and transported the injured infant to Mary Lanning Healthcare, where it was determined that he required urgent care at Children's Hospital in Omaha.

Medical examinations at Children's Hospital revealed the infant suffered severe injuries, including a brain bleed, skull fractures, and a fractured shoulder blade. Notably, doctors also identified previous unhealed injuries, including a broken femur, which had been under investigation when the child was just 6 months old. According to Capt. Jason Haase of the Hastings Police Department, that earlier case had been closed due to inconclusive evidence regarding the injury's cause.

As the child’s condition was monitored in Omaha, further findings emerged during an eye exam, which showed retinal hemorrhages. Medical professionals indicated that these injuries were consistent with abusive head trauma rather than results from a short fall, raising more concerns about the child's safety.

While Essink's daycare operated without a license, it was not legally required to do so due to the limited number of children she cared for. In response to the situation, a GoFundMe page has been established for the injured child, providing updates on his recovery and ongoing medical needs.