Colo. man accused of shaking, hitting girlfriend’s baby in ‘filthy’ motel room, killing him
05/24/2023 11:46 am PDT
CAÑON CITY, Colo. (TCD) -- A 21-year-old man is in custody after his girlfriend’s 10-month-old baby died from suspected child abuse.
On May 21, at approximately 7:38 a.m., the Cañon City Police Department responded to the Motel 6 on Fremont Drive to a report of a unresponsive 10-month-old baby, later identified as Edward Hayes. The baby was transported to St. Thomas More Hospital and then airlifted to Colorado Springs.
Police announced Tuesday, May 23, that the victim died from his injuries.
According to the arrest affidavit posted by KXRM-TV, detectives interviewed the child’s mother as well as the mother’s boyfriend, William Jacobs. Jacobs and his girlfriend reportedly lost their home in a fire earlier this year and had been living at the Motel 6 ever since. Police noted in the affidavit that the room was "filthy." The mother was allegedly at work on May 21, and Jacobs was caring for the child.
According to the affidavit, Jacobs told police he was changing the victim’s diaper when Edward "went stiff and began making gargling noises." He then reportedly shook and slapped the baby to get him to breathe. Jacobs allegedly said he was "kinda rough" when doing so but later stated he was "not rough."
A detective reportedly told Jacobs she’d like to speak with him in more detail, and he "immediately turned around, put his hands behind his back" and said, "Just take me to jail."
Jacobs was taken into custody, where he later admitted to biting the victim’s arm and hitting Edward’s head on a door frame and on a light fixture.
According to the affidavit, Jacobs’ story was "continually changing throughout the interview."
Police said, "Based on interviews, medical examinations, and doctor evaluations, the incident was classified as child abuse."
Officials arrested Jacobs on a charge of child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury, but police are filing amended charges with the Fremont County District Attorney’s Office since the victim’s death.
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