Family members restrained the crying father of a dead 2-year-old as the boy’s mother and her boyfriend, who face murder charges, appeared today in Denver County Court.
Elijah Archuleta died after his mother, Isela Reyes-Talamentes, 23, and her boyfriend, John Vigil, 24 took him to a hospital with severe burns Friday.
The boy’s father, James Archuleta, 24, who was sitting in the first row of a Denver County courtroom, gave a loud sob and bolted forward when a shackled Vigil entered. A man behind him grabbed him around the neck, and others held onto his arms as they tried to calm him.
Vigil, whose shoulders and upper chest were bare, was wearing a padded green suicide-prevention smock, an indication that he is on suicide watch.
Reyes-Talamentes gazed at her husband and bit her lower lip as she entered the courtroom a few moments later.
Both face charges of first-degree murder and are being held without bond. Today’s hearing was held to advise the two of the charges they will face at a formal arraignment.
The pair told police at the hospital that the boy turned on the water and accidently burned himself.
The coroner has not disclosed what caused the boy’s death.
Archuleta and other family members declined comment following the hearing.
Tom McGhee: (303)954-1671 or tmcghee@denverpost.com
