Murder charge expected for dad in child abuse case (Boulder, Colorado)

Dad BENJAMIN KOLLER is to be charged with murder for injuries that lead to the death of his 4-month-old son.

Hat tip to Joan for finding this.

http://www.timescall.com/news_story.asp?ID=18635

Murder charge expected for father in child abuse case

By Pierrette J. Shields
© 2009 Longmont Times-Call

BOULDER — Prosecutors are expected to file a murder charge Thursday morning against a 26-year-old Lafayette man suspected of causing the injuries that led to his 4-month-old son's death earlier this month.

Benjamin Koller was arrested in July on suspicion of child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury shortly after his badly injured infant, Jack Sebastian Koller, was hospitalized. Because the baby died since his arrest, court records show charges of first-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death are expected to be filed during a scheduled hearing Thursday morning.

Jack Sebastian Koller died Oct. 12 while in hospice case. He was born May 27 and hospitalized July 21. The baby suffered bite marks to his left leg and both arms, bruises on his head, retinal bleeding, a skull fracture, a torn frenulum and a bruise behind his ear consistent with being grabbed by the ear, according to Benjamin Koller's arrest warrant affidavit. Doctors told investigators that fluid had to be drained from the baby’s brain.

Prosecutors delayed filing charges against Benjamin Koller because the baby was expected to die from his injuries.

According to Benjamin Koller's arrest warrant affidavit, Koller told investigators that he dropped the baby several times, would bite and shake him to get a reaction when he was unresponsive, and had held his hand over the baby’s mouth until he changed color to stifle his cries.

Jack Koller's condition unexpectedly improved after his hospitalization despite predictions that he would die and he was released Aug. 10 to his maternal grandparents. However, his condition again deteriorated and he was readmitted to the hospital, according to prosecutors.

Benjamin Koller is being held at the Boulder County Jail on a $1 million bond.