T-R PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY The Elberon Public Library, which is located inside the community center building at 106 Main St., was allegedly vandalized to the tune of nearly $18,000 in damages on May 22. Bailey Anne Jenkins, the former library director, has been charged with seven felonies over allegations that she encouraged and allowed a group of children to commit the acts.

ELBERON — On May 22, the Elberon Public Library was vandalized, leaving the city building in need of multiple repairs. An estimated $17,922.95 of damages occurred during the incident. Bailey Anne Jenkins, 33, was arrested on June 29 in relation to the vandalism. Jenkins had been serving as the director of the Elberon Library; on May 22, the day of the incident, she posted on the library’s Facebook page that it was her last day as director.

According to the criminal complaint, seven minor children were persuaded/allowed to destroy the library as then director Jenkins looked on, not once telling them to stop. Jenkins is alleged to have allowed the seven children to tear the library apart, even helping by opening closet doors for them. The rampage on the library was reportedly all caught on tape, but the footage has not been publicly released.

In a press release from the Tama County Sheriff’s Office, the library was described as “ransacked and destroyed” by the deputy on the scene. After an investigation, Jenkins has been charged with seven counts of solicitation to commit felony, each a Class D felony.

After being reached for comment, the Elberon Public Library Board of Trustees issued a statement to the News Chronicle declining to go into specifics about the alleged vandalism.

“At this time we are not making any statements regarding the incident that occurred. We are currently hard at work on repairing damages and getting ready to reopen to the public. We plan to reopen soon and resume with our regular activities. If you are interested in volunteering or donating, please reach out to us atelberonlibrary2@gmail.com,” they wrote.

Jenkins was also reached for comment, but, like the library’s board of trustees, opted against making an official statement about the incident at this time. Scott Hunter with the Marshalltown Public Defender’s Office has been appointed to represent Jenkins, who has been released from the Tama County Jail on her own recognizance, and a preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 9.