Suspect in child’s death-by-neglect leaves jail

JEFFERSON COUNTY – A man suspected of leaving his baby home alone, then returning home after hours of drinking to find the child dead, apparently has posted bail after his bond was set at $50,000 earlier this week in Jeffco District Court.

Joseph Trujillo, 23, who was arrested Jan. 22 on suspicion of first-degree murder, was not listed on the Jeffco jail roster late Friday. Trujillo, who was jailed on suspicion of first-degree murder, was charged with child abuse resulting in death, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

First-degree murder requires proof of intent for conviction and prosecutors believe the lesser charge is more appropriate.

Investigators were dispatched to Trujillo’s apartment shortly after midnight Jan. 22 in response to a call from the 5-month-old boy’s grandmother, who said she was awakened by the sound of her son, Joseph, wailing in another room. When she went to check on him, she found Joseph Trujillo holding her unconscious grandson, according to police.

Emergency medical personnel pronounced the child dead at the scene.

Investigators believe Trujillo left the child alone while he went to a local bar for six or seven hours. The grandmother told investigators she was not at home when Joseph Trujillo left the apartment and she did not know he was away without the boy after she returned.