BREAKING: Rural Sigourney Man charged with Murder

OSKALOOSA- A rural Sigourney man is now charged with first-degree murder in the death of a four month old infant. Johnny Dale Jr was arrested on June 19, and charged with child endangerment resulting in serious injury, after a child in Dale's care was taken to Mahaska Health Partnership, and later airlifted to Blank Children's hospital in Des Moines, with serious injuries. According to a criminal complaint filed by Oskaloosa Police Lt. Gary McClun, the child died shortly after 9 a.m. on June 21.

"Since that time, the charge against Mr. Dale has been changed to Murder in the First Degree (Class A Felony). The charge against Mr. Dale follows an investigation by the Oskaloosa Police Department and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation into the injuries and death of 4-month old [name withheld]," states a press release from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

According to the crimnal complaint, Dale was left in charge of his girlfriend's child on June 15th, from 9:30 p.m., until she returned around 2:00 a.m on June 16th. When the mother returned, the baby was not acting normal.

"The mother stated that upon seeing the baby again at 2:00 a.m., the baby had a bruise on its forehead, was visibly pale and would not wake up. The mother stated that she wanted to get the baby checked out and the defendant refused and told her to wait until the following morning," the complaint states.

Dale was interviewed by agents with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and stated that he was frustrated with the child during the evening the child was in his care.

"The defendant made admissions that he was "bouncing" the baby on an air mattress in an attempt to get the baby to sleep. The defendant acknowledged that his actions likely caused the injuries to (K.R.B.)," McClun writes in the complaint.

The complaint goes on to state that the baby suffered several "brain and spinal cord" injuries.

Dale is currently being held in the Mahaska County Jail in lieu of $1 Million cash only bond. Magistate Judge Diane Crookham-Johnson set his preliminary hearing for June 28, at 2:30 p.m., in the Mahaska County Courthouse. The public defender has been apointed to represent Dale, though an attorney's name was not listed in online court records.

Murder in the 1st degree is punishable by an automatic sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.