A man in Denver, Colorado, has been taken into custody on suspicion of murder and child abuse in connection to the death of a 2-year-old.
Officers from the Denver Police Department reported to a home in the West Barnum neighborhood on Sunday, January 18, after they received a call about an unresponsive 2-year-old, according to a post shared via X. Upon the officers’ arrival, the child was pronounced dead at the scene.
Nicholas Stout was handcuffed and taken into custody on the afternoon of January 18, after investigators developed probable cause, according to the police department. Authorities added that there were no other victims.
The Denver Police Department said that Stout, 38, is being held for investigation of first-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death.
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A spokesperson for the department said that it’s not currently known if Stout and the child were related, while the victim has not yet been publicly identified, according to CBS News.
Police added in the statement that an investigation into the matter remains ongoing.
Stout is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, January 20, in connection to the case. It’s not currently clear if he had retained legal counsel or entered a plea.
The Denver Police Department did not immediately respond to Us Weekly’s request for comment.
The 2-year-old’s death has left many neighbors in shock, and one person who lives nearby opened up to KDVR about witnessing the arrest.
“I just saw a lot of cops parked, and the next morning I saw a crime organization van,” the neighbor told the outlet, confirming that the vehicle was a police evidence van.
Meanwhile, another neighbor admitted they were having a hard time processing the crime. “I was honestly really sad because having two kids of my own around that same age, I just can’t imagine what a baby could have to warrant being abused to the point of death,” the neighbor said.
While police have chosen to not share much about the circumstances that led to the child’s death, legal analyst Christopher Decker revealed some of the questions that authorities may be asking amid the investigation.
“They will be looking into the relationship between this child and the gentleman that they are charging with this murder, and they will look to any statements that individual made or any motives that person may have had to take the life of a child,” Decker explained to KDVR.
If Stout is found guilty of first-degree murder, he will likely be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, according to Shoushe Law Group.
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In order to be convicted of first-degree murder in Colorado, prosecutors must be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant “deliberately and intentionally killed someone,” the death was caused by “risky behavior exhibiting extreme indifference to human life” or the defendant was in “position of trust” to a child under 12 years old and the child’s death was knowingly caused.
If he’s found guilty of the child abuse charge, Stout could be sentenced to serve between eight and 24 years in prison and be ordered to pay between $5,000 and $1,000,000 in fines.
