Monday, March 26, 2012

Coroner IDs Toddler In Babysitter Child Abuse Case

Police: 17-Year-Old Relative Babysitting Child Arrested

Alan Gathright, 7NEWS Content Producer

POSTED: 7:45 pm MDT March 25, 2012

UPDATED: 11:15 pm MDT March 25,

GREELEY, Colo. -- Authorities have identified a 2-year-old Greeley boy, whose death following a severe brain injury led to the arrest of a 17-year-old family member who was babysitting.The toddler, Jose Cornelio-Espinoza, died at Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora on Saturday, the Weld County Coroner’s Office said Sunday. The cause and manner of death remained under investigation.Police were called to North Colorado Medical Center Thursday after the toddler was brought in with serious head injuries, said Greeley police Sgt. Susan West. The child was immediately flown to Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora.

West said a 17-year-old male relative, who was watching the 2-year-old, claimed the boy had fallen on the floor at the family's mobile home. During the investigation, police determined that the injuries were the result of "non-accidental" trauma, she said.The babysitter was arrested and charged with child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury.Family members in the home told 7NEWS their attorney advised them not to comment to the media.7NEWS was waiting for a response from the Weld County District Attorney’s Office on whether the teen babysitter’s charges would be changed to child abuse resulting in death.It's not the first time police have been called to the home. Police said they responded to a call of a verbal disturbance at the home on March 8th.Neighbors also told 7NEWS there was a loud argument at the mobile home last week when the mother accused the boy of being drunk and ordered him to leave the trailer."I guess he's had problems there," said John Garcia, who lives a few houses away. "The mom there threw him out and threw his clothes out."Police arrived and said the boy was intoxicated and could not drive, neighbors said. The officers drove the teen elsewhere. However, he returned the next day.