A Boulder County couple accused of child abuse resulting in the death of their 10-week-old son pleaded not guilty to the charges Monday.
Alex and Molly Midyette entered the pleas at their arraignments in Boulder District Court.
Alex Midyette, 28, is charged with four counts of child abuse resulting in death, and Molly Midyette, 28, is charged with three counts of child abuse resulting in death.
The charges stem from the death of the couple’s 10-week-old son, Jason.
Jason died in March 2006 from what the coroner determined was a head injury. Doctors found more than 20 broken bones in various stages of healing in his body, and several doctors characterized the breaks as being associated with abuse.
A grand jury studied the case for seven months before issuing indictments this year.
Judge Lael E. Montgomery scheduled Molly Midyette’s trial for Dec. 10 and Alex Midyette’s trial for Jan. 10.
LAKEWOOD
Bicyclist hit, killed en route to work
A 44-year-old man died early Monday when he was hit by a car driven by a co-worker while riding his bicycle in the dark.
Lakewood police said Jeffery Anderson of Denver died at the scene at Wadsworth Boulevard and West Oxford Avenue.
The driver of a 1995 Dodge Neon, 28-year-old Robert Pollard Thornton, stopped after hitting the bicycle and attempted to help until paramedics from West Metro Fire responded.
Both men were on their way to work at Costco, at 7900 W. Quincy Ave.
The accident was reported at 3:48 a.m., police said.
Lakewood police cited Pollard for “careless driving resulting in death.”
Early indications are that neither alcohol nor drugs were a factor in the accident.
EAGLE COUNTY
Rabid bat first one in county since 1997
A brown bat found in a home near Edwards tested positive for rabies, Eagle County authorities reported Monday, encouraging citizens to vaccinate pets.
The last time a bat tested positive in Eagle County was in 1997.
Rabies is a fatal disease that can be passed from animals to humans, which can be difficult or impossible to treat, but easy to prevent in pets.
“All pet owners are required to maintain proof of current rabies vaccination,” said Eagle Animal Services’ director, Dr. Natalie Duck.
LAKE CITY
Lone camper missing in high country
An Oklahoma man, believed to be camping by himself, has been missing since Friday in the rugged high country above Lake City.
The camper, who authorities said is a 63-year-old with lots of experience who was well-prepared, was reported missing Friday night when a passer-by noticed the man hadn’t returned to his campsite.
Hinsdale County sheriff’s deputies and several search teams looked for the man through the weekend without luck.
On Monday, about 35 people from around the state joined the search, assisted by a helicopter from the Colorado Air National Guard.
The search area is southwest of Lake City, near Engineer Pass, in rugged, subalpine terrain between 10,500 feet and 13,000 feet, said a spokesman for the Western State Mountain Rescue team.
The spokesman said officials have no reason to believe the missing camper couldn’t survive the weather and the terrain, and were optimistic they would find him.
THORNTON
Two women held in stabbing attack
Thornton police have arrested two women in an attack early Sunday that left three people with stab wounds.
Arrested were Joann Gabriela Olguin, 35, of Thornton and Angela L. Dewar-Stirewalt, 40, of Arvada.
Police said the two women drove through the alley behind a house at 1571 E. 88th Ave. around 5:30 a.m. Sunday. The two got into an altercation with three people in the backyard, and some type of weapon was used.
Two sisters from Thornton, one 37 years old and one 32, were transported to local hospitals with multiple cuts. A 27-year- old Denver man with cuts on his stomach was treated at the scene.
Police spokesman Matt Barnes said a verbal dispute led to the assaults.
LAKEWOOD
Obama donor picked to dine with candidate
Lakewood resident Dorothy Unruh was picked Monday to have dinner with Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
The dinner is part of the Illinois senator’s plan to meet with his campaign donors, regardless of the amount of money they give. Unruh, 68, said she “did not give much” to Obama but had wanted to do something to support his candidacy.
“I’m really surprised and excited,” said Unruh, who just recently changed her party registration from Republican to Democratic in order to vote for Obama in the state caucus.
Three other Obama campaign donors, who have not yet been chosen, will join Unruh for dinner with Obama. The date and city are still being decided.
PARKER
Woman, 37, infected with West Nile virus
A 37-year-old Parker woman has become the first Douglas County resident infected this year with West Nile virus, bringing to 14 the number of Coloradans striken with the disease.
The woman, whose name was not released, was diagnosed with meningitis and hospitalized earlier this month. Health officials were informed of the positive test for West Nile on Wednesday. The woman is recovering at home.
