A couple from Charter Oak are now facing new charges after their three-week old child died from serious injuries. According to Crawford County District Court records, 23-year-old Chad Eugene Gibbs Jr. allegedly injured his then two-week-old infant after falling down the stairs, dropping her approximately three to four feet to the ground on Jan. 10. Gibbs and the mother of the child, 22-year-old Sarah Marie Lembke failed to seek medical treatment, even after noticing bruising on the child’s face and her crying regularly for approximately five hours. The infant later died due to the extent of her injuries. Gibbs Jr. is currently facing murder in the first degree, a class A felony and child endangerment resulting in death, a class B felony. Lembke is also facing the same class B felony charge for child endangerment. Both remain in custody at the Crawford County Jail awaiting an arraignment hearing scheduled for Feb. 10. If convicted, Lembke could face up to 25 years in prison, and $100,000 in fines, with Gibbs Jr. facing life in prison without the possibility of parole.
