Lang
5/10/25
A transient wanted for multiple different incidents involving vandalism, leaving children alone at an Iowa City homeless shelter and striking someone else with a potted plant is finally in custody.
24-year-old Deanna James was wanted for a July 2024 incident that reportedly saw her punch through the window of a door at an Orchard Court apartment, breaking the glass. In August of last year, she allegedly hit another person with a potted mum at the Waterfront Hy-Vee. The next month, she allegedly left her four children….who are between the ages of five and one year old…alone for about an hour late one night at Shelter House. Police say the oldest child could be seen roaming the halls unsupervised.
James was taken into custody just after 5:00 Friday night near the intersection of Wayne Avenue and 1st Avenue. Iowa City Police say she gave two fake names before providing her real identity.
James is now charged with four counts of Child Endangerment, two counts of 5th Degree Criminal Mischief, and one count each of Simple Assault and Providing False Identity Information. She also faces a pair of probation violations.
If convicted on all charges, James faces a maximum of over eight years in jail.