Fire Department Lieutenant Charged With Felony Child Endangerment After Allegedly Injuring Child
Christopher Lee Oberembt, 38, a firefighter publicly identified as a captain with Granger Fire & EMS and a lieutenant with the Des Moines Fire Department, faces a Class D felony charge of child endangerment resulting in bodily injury following an October 4 domestic disturbance in Dallas Center.
The charge follows allegations that Oberembt physically confronted a child during a disagreement over a cellphone, ultimately throwing the child to the ground in what published accounts of court records describe as a hip-toss maneuver.
Deputies reportedly observed multiple injuries, including abrasions, bruising, and marks on the child's body. The child reported pain in the neck and abdomen and was transported to a hospital.
These allegations were reported October 5 by The Perry News and Raccoon Valley Radio, citing court documents.
A dispute over a cellphone
According to The Perry News, Dallas County sheriff's deputies responded to a residence in Dallas Center at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 4, following a reported domestic disturbance.
The confrontation reportedly began over a requirement that the child surrender a cellphone upon returning home.
When the child attempted to walk away, Oberembt allegedly grabbed the back of the child's sweatshirt and pulled the child backward. The newspaper describes Oberembt falling onto the child while taking possession of the phone.
The confrontation reportedly escalated when the child attempted to strike Oberembt. According to the published account, he then grabbed the child and threw the child to the ground using a hip-toss maneuver.
Deputies reportedly observed abrasions to the child's hands, feet, knee, and head, as well as bruising and marks around a wrist. The child complained of abdominal and neck pain and was transported for medical evaluation.
What remains unverified: The original criminal complaint has not yet been independently reviewed by this publication. The child's precise age, the sources of the incident narrative, and the complete circumstances of the confrontation remain to be established.
Arrest and criminal proceedings
Dallas County Sheriff's Office booking records show that Oberembt was booked into the county jail at 12:05 a.m. on October 5 and released at 10:13 a.m. the same morning.
The official booking record identifies a $5,000 cash-or-surety bond. It does not establish how his release was secured.
The case is identified in Iowa Courts Online as State of Iowa v. Christopher Lee Oberembt, FECR052607.
The court docket lists one count of child endangerment resulting in bodily injury, classified as a Class D felony.
An initial appearance took place October 5. A no-contact order was issued that day, and sheriff's records document service of the order.
Court records also show that attorney Thomas Crabb was appointed at state expense following an application for court-appointed counsel.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.
No conviction or final adjudication appears in the docket information reviewed for this report.
View Receipt #006 — Dallas County Arrest Record →
A firefighter in positions of public trust
Oberembt has a documented employment history with the City of Des Moines, including firefighter and fire-medic positions.
Granger Fire & EMS publicly congratulated Oberembt on his promotion to lieutenant with the Des Moines Fire Department. The announcement identified him as a captain with Granger Fire & EMS and included photographs from a promotion ceremony.
City of Granger municipal records also identify Oberembt in a May 2025 council agenda concerning the proposed hiring of part-time firefighter/paramedic personnel.
His current employment status with either department, whether he remains on operational duty, and whether any administrative review has begun have not yet been independently established.
Those questions matter because firefighters and emergency medical personnel occupy positions of public trust, including responsibilities involving children and vulnerable people. The criminal charge does not establish misconduct in the performance of his emergency-services duties.
Questions awaiting answers
Kathryn Inacardigan is examining the underlying criminal complaint, the accounts given to investigators, and the response of the public-safety agencies associated with Oberembt.
Additional reporting will seek to establish the nature of the reported injuries, what investigators documented, whether employment actions have occurred, and how the criminal proceedings develop.
This story will be updated as additional information is verified.
Sources and public records
- The Perry News — October 5, 2026
- Raccoon Valley Radio — October 5, 2026
- Dallas County Sheriff's Office — Daily report
- Dallas County Sheriff's Office — Booking record
- Iowa Courts Online — FECR052607
- Granger Fire & EMS — Public promotion announcement
- City of Granger — May 2025 council agenda
Editor's note: This is a developing report. Details of the alleged physical confrontation are attributed to published reporting citing court records. The allegations have not been proven in court. Oberembt is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Identifying information about the child is intentionally omitted.