Prosecutors filed an additional charge of first-degree murder against two women accused of starving a 3-year-old child to death.
Lynn Kimbrough, spokeswoman for the Denver District Attorney’s office, said new witnesses came forward that allowed prosecutors to develop information Thursday to file the more serious charges. She declined to discuss the new information and no information was released at an advisement Friday morning.
Shaunee Hall, 23, and her roommate, Tina Houcks, 36, were initially charged with child abuse resulting in serious injury, but those charges were amended this week to child abuse resulting in death after Zianna Hall died Oct. 30.
On Friday, the added charge of first-degree murder resulted in the women being taken off of a $75,000 bond each, which they never were able to pay, and being held with no bond. They are scheduled to appear Dec. 13 for a preliminary hearing on the case when more information may be released.
An arrest warrant says Zianna was brought to a local hospital Oct. 13 weighing between 19 and 22 pounds and suffering from severe malnutrition and dehydration, leading the doctor to tell police she was neglected.
Defense attorneys for Hall and Houcks declined comment after Friday’s advisement hearing.
Arthur Kane: 303-954-1244 or akane@denverpost.com
