Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)

The fatality report states the mother's boyfriend "admitted to shaking the [infant]" and "admitted he had bitten the child himself." He also "admitted to 'treat[ing] [the infant] like the dog and showed how he would throw the dog on the bed and he would do the same to [the infant].'" The Canon City Daily Record reports Jacobs "admitted to biting Hayes on the arm 'while playing with him'" and "also said he had fallen out of bed and hit his head. He also said he had hit the baby's head on a doorframe when he was taking him to the bathroom to throw up." The KRDO article notes Jacobs "admitted to biting Hayes on the arm 'while playing with him' and hitting Hayes' head on a door frame while trying to make him throw up."

Is there any mention of medical neglect?

The fatality report identifies as a risk factor that "The sibling did not have regular medical care/medical care on the typical schedule we would expect" and the physician stated "the sibling had not been seen by a doctor since June 5, 2021." Additionally, the infant appeared ill for several days (likely symptomatic from a prior brain injury) without being taken to a doctor. The maternal relative "suggested the infant see a doctor" but the mother did not follow through. The Canon City Daily Record notes the defense attorney asked the coroner "whether the pathologist had found that there was any malnourishment involved or if a lack of medical care was involved, to which Allen said she did not mention those in her verbal statements," but the failure to seek timely medical care for the infant's illness symptoms is documented in the fatality report.

Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?

The fatality report states in the timeline: "FCDHS received a report of concern regarding the infant testing positive for cannabinoids in his umbilical cord blood." The report also identifies "Two children born drug exposed" as a risk/contributing factor.

Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?

The fatality report states the boyfriend "admitted to shaking the [infant]" and notes the infant had "bilateral subdural hemorrhage[ing]" and "retinal hemorrhaging in both eyes." The Canon City Daily Record reports: "Evidence showed that he had been shaken on more than one occasion" and "A case staffing with the children's protective team at Children's Hospital concluded that the types of injuries Edward sustained occurred because of 'violent shaking.'" The autopsy revealed old and new brain bleeds. The cause of death was blunt force head trauma.

Was a biological father involved in the death?

The fatality report states: "The allegations of fatal, intrafamilial neglect – environment injurious were substantiated against the mother and the father as to the infant." and "The allegations of medium, intrafamilial neglect – environment injurious were substantiated against the mother and the father as to the infant." Although the father was not physically present at the time of the incident (having separated from the mother earlier in the year), the official CPS assessment formally substantiated fatal neglect findings against him, indicating he was officially found to have contributed to the conditions leading to the infant's death.

Was a biological mother involved in the death?

The fatality report states: "The allegations of fatal, intrafamilial neglect – environment injurious were substantiated against the mother and the father as to the infant." The mother was also criminally charged: "The mother was charged with felony child abuse, misdemeanor child abuse, and cruelty to animals." She left the infant in the care of her boyfriend who had a known violent criminal history, and failed to seek medical attention when the infant appeared ill for days. The Canon City Daily Record reports Crawford "was aware (of his criminal history)" but did not fully disclose it to her family.

Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?

The mother's boyfriend, William Jacobs, was the primary perpetrator. The fatality report states: "The allegations of fatal, intrafamilial abuse – physical were substantiated against the mother's boyfriend as to the infant." He admitted to shaking, biting, and throwing the infant. He was charged with "felony child abuse, murder in the first degree, and cruelty to animals." Multiple news sources confirm he was the mother's boyfriend and was the last person caring for the infant before the incident.

Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?

The fatality report states: "Within the last three years, the family had prior involvement with Fremont County Department of Human Services consisting of 2 referrals." The two referrals were: (1) on 6/14/2022, a report regarding the maternal relative yelling at the sibling, and (2) on 7/28/2022, a report regarding the infant testing positive for cannabinoids in umbilical cord blood. Both referrals were not accepted for assessment.

Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?

The fatality report states: "The mother's boyfriend was arrested and charged with felony child abuse, murder in the first degree, and cruelty to animals. The mother was charged with felony child abuse, misdemeanor child abuse, and cruelty to animals." Multiple news sources confirm these charges. The Fox21 article reports Jacobs was arrested with a warrant for "Child Abuse resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, a Class 3 Felony." Though all charges were ultimately dismissed due to prosecutorial misconduct, both adults were initially charged and arrested.

Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?

The fatality report states: "The mother's boyfriend's criminal history included assault, a related protection order, and sexual offenses." A protection order related to assault is commonly associated with domestic violence. Additionally, the safety plan documented in Trails required that "the residence should be free from any safety hazards, domestic violence, and illicit substances." While there is no explicit description of domestic violence within this household, the boyfriend's prior protection order and the inclusion of DV in the safety plan requirements suggest a recognized risk.

Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?

The fatality report states: "the infant was residing with the mother and the mother's boyfriend in a hotel where the mother was also working." Multiple news sources confirm the family was living at a Motel 6 in Cañon City. The Canon City Daily Record explains: "Crawford and Edward also had been staying in a room there since they lost their home to a house fire earlier this year." The fatality report confirms the house fire occurred in February 2023.

Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?

The fatality report states: "The mother's boyfriend's criminal history included assault, a related protection order, and sexual offenses." The NY Post article reports that DA Stanley disclosed Jacobs "has a pretty awful past, including fondling his mom" and that "he had been previously charged with a sex crime, had spent time in a juvenile detention center and had a 'violent past.'" The Canon City Daily Record reports Crawford told detectives "Jacobs had been charged for a crime that he 'had to register for,' that he had some assaults while in custody and some trespass charges." All of this criminal history predates the fatal incident.

Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?

The fatality report documents substance use by multiple caregivers. It states: "Both appeared to be under the influence of substances. They admitted to using cannabis and taking a shot of alcohol that day." UA results for the mother, father, and maternal relative "were positive for cannabinoids." The report also identifies "Substance use/abuse" and "Two children born drug exposed" as risk/contributing factors.

The most significant detail not addressed by preceding questions is that all criminal charges against both William Jacobs (first-degree murder, child abuse, cruelty to animals) and Brook Crawford (felony and misdemeanor child abuse, cruelty to animals) were dismissed due to "outrageous governmental conduct" by 11th Judicial District Attorney Linda Stanley. During a televised interview with KRDO, Stanley made prejudicial statements about Jacobs, including "He has zero investment in this child. Zero. He's watching that baby so he can get laid. That's it. And have a place to sleep." She also disclosed details of his criminal history and made inflammatory comments about his character. Judge Turner ruled that these statements violated Jacobs' right to due process. The fatality report identifies this as a systemic gap: "all the charges against the perpetrators were dropped due to the DA not accepting the case. Although charges were initially brought and some minor charges remain, no one will face prosecution for the child's death." DA Stanley faces an ethics complaint and potential disbarment. Additionally, Crawford later wrote a letter to the court supporting Jacobs' release, stating "William is a good person" and offering to let him stay at her home. Despite the severity of the case, the CDHS Child Fatality Review Team made no recommendations and found no direct correlations between compliance findings and the fatal incident.