Teenager charged with child abuse resulting in death, allegedly asleep as baby drowned in tub

The Denver District Attorney's Office isn't release the name of a seventeen-year old who's been charged with child abuse resulting in death. But it's sharing information about alleged negligence that allowed his eleven-month-old cousin to die. The accusation: The teenager left the tot and her sibling unattended and went to...

By Michael Roberts

September 16, 2010

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The Denver District Attorney's Office isn't release the name of a seventeen-year old who's been charged with child abuse resulting in death. But it's sharing information about alleged negligence that allowed his eleven-month-old cousin to die. The accusation: The teenager left the tot and her sibling unattended and went to sleep. When he awoke, the youngest child was unconscious in a bathtub full of water. More details in the release below.

TEENAGER CHARGED IN DEATH OF CHILD

Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey has formally charged a 17-year-old male in connection with the death of his 11-month-old cousin that occurred last week while she was in his care.

The 17-year-old is being charged as a juvenile with child abuse resulting in death (F3).

The teenager was babysitting for the toddler and her 22-month-old sibling on the morning of September 7, 2010. The charge alleges that the teenager went back to sleep, leaving the children unattended in their home. He discovered the victim unconscious in a bathtub full of water when he woke up sometime later.

The juvenile remains in custody at the Gilliam Youth Center.

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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.

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