A couple accused of beating and starving a 6-year-old adoptive son was formally charged on Thursday morning.
Christine and Randall Arnold were charged with felony child abuse resulting in bodily injury and misdemeanor child abuse. The Arnolds skipped their Thursday court appearance, allowing their attorney to handle it instead.
The Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office says on Sept. 17, Littleton firefighters responded to the Arnolds’ home in the 6500 block of South Reed Way on a report that a young child had fallen down the stairs and was unresponsive. An EMT examining the boy observed bruises and abrasions all over his body, according to the affidavit.
Investigators say Christine Arnold reported she was cooking dinner when the boy fell.
The affidavit says the medical staff at Littleton Hospital Emergency Room determined the boy, who weighed only 30 pounds, had blood on his brain and his brain was swelling.
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