An Adams County jury deliberated for less than four hours before finding Romon Endersguilty of knowing and reckless child abuse causing death, a Class 2 felony. He was indicted on Oct. 26, 2016, and faces sentencing on May 4.
Authorities say paramedics found Enders’ son, Jayden Hernandez, not breathing and unresponsive at a home on the 1600 block of Clinton Street on March 21, 2015. The young boy died of catastrophic brain injuries and also had bruises all over his body and multiple healing rib fractures.
Romon Enders was convicted Friday of child abuse causing the death of his 17-month-old son in 2015.
Paramedics…
— Colorado's 17th Judicial DA's Office-Brian Mason (@da17colorado)
“Enders gave several different stories to police, contending that other toddlers in the home caused the injury by standing on Jayden,” the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office said in a news release. “He and his twin sister were spending a few days with their father.”
Prosecutors say Chief Deputy District Attorney Rhoda Pilmer told the jury that Jayden’s injuries were consistent with those from a high-speed car crash or by falling from a multiple story building.
Assistant District Attorney Jess Redman said Jayden’s death was caused by blunt force trauma so strong that it caused the tearing of nerves deep in his brain, the district attorney’s office said.
“Child abuse happens in private. It happens to kids who can’t speak. There are no witnesses,” Redman told the jury during closing arguments, according to the release. “We know children are fragile. We know they can die. We don’t want to believe that someone would inflict harm causing the death of a child, but it happens.”
