An Emporia man is awaiting his first appearance in Lyon County District Court after formal charges of felony child abuse were filed Wednesday.
Jade Michael Mason, age 35, was charged with two counts of abuse after his arrest Monday and alleged criminal activity Sunday. Both counts involve allegedly “knowingly impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood” by essentially choking the alleged victims, who are no more than 10 and seven years old, based on documents posted on the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal.
The abuse counts are both felony level 3, or the same level as aggravated robbery, aggravated indecent liberties, sodomy, voluntary manslaughter or kidnapping. Penalties could range from 4.5 to over 20 years in prison, depending on the case’s outcome and personal criminal history.
Mason also faces two counts each of child endangerment and two more of battery. These four counts are misdemeanors.
