FORT DODGE, Iowa — Parents in Fort Dodge are facing multiple charges for the alleged abuse of their baby.

According to court documents, 24-year-old Austin Prewitt was arrested late last week for allegedly physically abusing his young child. Criminal complaints accuse Austin of hitting his child, described as less than a year old, with objects “causing bodily injury/bruising, pain, and mental anguish” multiple times from as early as October 2024 to September of this year.

The child’s mother, identified as 24-year-old Rebekah Prewitt, was also arrested in the case. Court records claim that Rebekah “aided and abetted” Austin while the alleged abuse occurred.

Both Austin and Rebekah were booked into the Webster County Jail for charges of child endangerment – bodily injury. Austin faces 21 counts of the charge while Rebekah faces 15.

Court records state that Rebekah has since been released from jail on a $150,000 cash-only bond.

Preliminary hearings for Austin and Rebekah are scheduled for September 22 and September 23, respectively.