Bettendorf man faces charges involving two minor children

A 46-year-old Bettendorf man was in custody Sunday after two juvenile victims reported he touched them inappropriately and assaulted them, court records show.

Dustin McDonald faces a felony charge of lascivious acts with a child – fondle or touch; and aggravated misdemeanor charges of indecent contact with a child, two charges of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, and child endangerment, according to court records.

According to arrest affidavits, the Department of Human Services requested forensic interviews of both victims by the Child Protection Response Center. A forensic interview is conducted by a trained professional with a child to gather information that is used to help determine whether abuse has occurred and to assess the child’s safety needs.

Affidavits show the first victim reported that McDonald slaps both victims “habitually,” and that McDonald has been “aggressive” since they younger.

When the first victim was 8, the victim reported, McDonald “choked me out” and locked the victim in a room for two hours, affidavits say.

According to affidavits, the first victim has complained about McDonald’s behavior and “putting his hands on me” and told him to stop. The first victim, according to the report, repeatedly told McDonald to leave both victims alone and stop the touching.

The first victim reported the inappropriate touching to another person, who, according to affidavits, did not believe the victim and defended McDonald, calling the activity “play-fighting” and told the victim to “toughen up.”

The first victim started going to the gym to get away from (McDonald) and has a job that keeps the victim away from him, affidavits show.

The second victim reported inappropriate incidents when McDonald and the second victim were in a pool, and a choking incident when the second victim could neither breathe nor speak, affidavits say.

McDonald, who was arrested Sunday on a warrant, was being held Sunday on $50,000 cash-only bond in Scott County Jail, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 3 p.m. Oct. 29 in Scott County Court.

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