Boulder authorities on Tuesday charged the parents of a 10-week-old Louisville boy who died more than a year ago from head injuries with child abuse resulting in death.
Alex and Molly Midyette turned themselves in at the Boulder County Jail on Tuesday afternoon, after a grand jury indicted the couple earlier in the day. Alex Midyette, 27, was indicted on four counts of child abuse, including one count of causing injury to his son, Jason. Molly Midyette, 28, was indicted on three counts of child abuse.
The charges also allege that the Midyettes knowingly placed Jason in a situation that posed a threat of injury and engaged in a pattern of conduct that resulted in mistreatment. All of the counts are felonies.
Alex and Molly Midyette were booked into the Boulder County Jail on bonds of $750,000 and $500,000, respectively. As of early Tuesday evening, they had not bonded out.
Boulder authorities declined to elaborate on the case beyond what was in the indictment.
“We’re not at this point going to be commenting on the specifics of the case,” said Boulder District Attorney’s spokeswoman Carolyn French. “That’s what the court process is for.”
Alex Midyette’s attorney could not be reached for comment Tuesday. Molly Midyette’s attorney, Craig Truman, gave only a standard response: “I am sure when all the facts are known in this difficult and complex case that justice will be done.”
Jason Midyette died in March of 2006 from what the coroner said were head injuries. Doctors found more than 20 broken bones, in various stages of healing, in his body, according to his autopsy report. The coroner said in July that Jason’s death was a homicide, after consulting with experts who ruled out brittle bone disease.
A grand jury began investigating the case in October.
Alex Midyette is the son of J. Nold Midyette, a prominent Boulder architect and property manager.
The Midyette case has also drawn attention from several radio and television commentators, who criticized District Attorney Mary Lacy for the length of the investigation.
One of those commentators, Denver defense attorney Craig Silverman, said Tuesday the new indictment lifts some of the scrutiny surrounding Lacy.
“It’s a very sad case,” Silverman said, “and I am glad the Boulder DA’s office is taking it seriously.”
Staff writer John Ingold can be reached at 720-929-0898 or jingold@denverpost.com.
