Maurice, IA (Northwestiowanow.com) — A Sioux County jury has found a Maurice couple not guilty in a case involving a foster child.

In February of 2024 the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation charged Caleb and Jill Haverdink with seven counts of child neglect, two counts of failure to report mandatory violations, and one count of filing a false report to law enforcement. Caleb Haverdink had been fired from his Deputy’s position on the Sioux County Sheriff’s Department just a week before.

It was alledged that one foster child in the Haverdinks care sexually assaulted other children in the home between January of 2019 and December of 2023 and the couple did not stop it.

Testimony took six days. The jury deliberated for ten hours before returning their verdict. The two were charged as individuals but were tried at the same time.