OSKALOOSA – An Oskaloosa man was charged with child endangerment after authorities say they found his young child with visible injuries.

Court documents state that the Oskaloosa Police Department was notified of a child abuse investigation by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services on May 15. Officers then learned of an incident that occurred on the evening of April 30 in the 500 block of Parkview Lane in Oskaloosa. 35-year-old Christopher Eckles of Oskaloosa was attempting to get his 2-year-old child ready for bed when he allegedly struck the child with an open hand, leaving a red handprint on the child’s lower back and rear.

According to court records, Eckles was taken into custody following an investigation. He was transported to the Mahaska County Jail, where he was later released on bond. Eckles now faces a class D felony charge of Child Endangerment Causing Bodily Injury. 

A no-contact order was issued the following day between Eckles and his two children. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 3.