Karen Pena charged with child abuse after van driver runs over toddler in parking lot

The driver of a van that struck and killed 22-month-old Laniece Fletcher isn't being charged with a crime. Instead, the person targeted is Karen Pena, Laniece's thirty-year-old mother, who's been arrested for child abuse resulting in death, with the focus on neglect...

By Michael Roberts

June 17, 2011

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

The driver of a van that struck and killed 22-month-old Laniece Fletcher isn't being charged with a crime.

Instead, the person targeted is Karen Pena, Laniece's thirty-year-old mother, who's been arrested for child abuse resulting in death, with the focus on neglect.

The apartment complex where the accident took place is located on the 900 block of South Zeno Way in Aurora -- and residents there reportedly say kids who live there have been at loose ends since a playground was removed to make room for extra parking.

Not that allowing a child under age two to wander around such an area unsupervised is advisable -- and that's presumably what Aurora Police believe Pena did.

Pena's bond has been set at $50,000. Look below to see a larger version of her booking photo, as well as an interactive graphic of the area near the scene; if you have problems seeing the image, click "View Larger Map."

View Larger Map

Become A Member

BEFORE YOU GO...
Can you help us continue to share our stories? Since the beginning, Westword has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver — and we'd like to keep it that way. Our members allow us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls.

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

Follow:

Facebook: 111180895657427

Twitter: @mikerobertscolo