More Charges Filed In Lafayette Child Abuse Case
Mother Wants Infant Kept Alive
POSTED: 1:21 p.m. MDT October 10, 2002
UPDATED: 5:06 p.m. MDT October 10, 2002
BOULDER, Colo. -- The father of a critically injured 2-month-old boy was charged with two more counts of child abuse Thursday.
The charges were filed a day after the mother of child went to court to ask that her son be kept alive.
Audra Dowler's lawyer noted her objection to "anyone's attempt
to prematurely end the child's life" during a hearing Wednesday at
the Boulder County Jail.
Boulder County Judge Thomas J.B. Reed said he would rule on the mother's request later.
A custody hearing is scheduled for Friday to determine if social workers will be able to decide the infant's ultimate fate. The baby is on life-support equipment, according to the Boulder deputy district attorney.
If Tanner Dowler is removed from the equipment and dies, authorities said that charges against his parents could be increased.
Initially diagnosed with two broken arms, burns on his feet and forehead and brain damage from a lack of oxygen, doctors found that the infant also suffered two broken legs and several broken ribs, Boulder County Deputy District Attorney Colette Cribari said Thursday.
Cribari said the infant's forehead burn was incorrectly diagnosed, so the Joseph Dowler will face a total of 12 counts of child abuse -- two more than previously filed. The additional charges are based on the new injuries discovered by doctors.
In a separate hearing before Judge Reed Wednesday, Joseph Dowler asked for
permission to attend his son's autopsy, if and when it occurs.
The motion states that witnessing the autopsy would be critical
to finding out the truth in the case.
"It is counsel's understanding that Tanner Dowler's chances of
surviving are not good," lawyer Megan Ring wrote in a filing on
behalf of Dowler, 34.
The motion was denied because Coroner John Meyer has final
authority over who may attend an autopsy, said Boulder County
District Attorney Mary Keenan.
The arraignment for Audra Dowler was set for Oct. 23. Joseph Dowler will have a preliminary hearing on Dec. 17.
The Dowlers were arrested after they took Tanner to a hospital, saying he was unresponsive and had stopped eating. Hospital staff suspected abuse and called police.
Audra Dowler's lawyer noted her objection to "anyone's attempt
to prematurely end the child's life" during a hearing Wednesday at
the Boulder County Jail.
Boulder County Judge Thomas J.B. Reed said he would rule on the mother's request later.
A custody hearing is scheduled for Friday to determine if social workers will be able to decide the infant's ultimate fate. The baby is on life-support equipment, according to the Boulder deputy district attorney.
If Tanner Dowler is removed from the equipment and dies, authorities said that charges against his parents could be increased.
Initially diagnosed with two broken arms, burns on his feet and forehead and brain damage from a lack of oxygen, doctors found that the infant also suffered two broken legs and several broken ribs, Boulder County Deputy District Attorney Colette Cribari said Thursday.
Cribari said the infant's forehead burn was incorrectly diagnosed, so the Joseph Dowler will face a total of 12 counts of child abuse -- two more than previously filed. The additional charges are based on the new injuries discovered by doctors.
In a separate hearing before Judge Reed Wednesday, Joseph Dowler asked for
permission to attend his son's autopsy, if and when it occurs.
The motion states that witnessing the autopsy would be critical
to finding out the truth in the case.
"It is counsel's understanding that Tanner Dowler's chances of
surviving are not good," lawyer Megan Ring wrote in a filing on
behalf of Dowler, 34.
The motion was denied because Coroner John Meyer has final
authority over who may attend an autopsy, said Boulder County
District Attorney Mary Keenan.
The arraignment for Audra Dowler was set for Oct. 23. Joseph Dowler will have a preliminary hearing on Dec. 17.
The Dowlers were arrested after they took Tanner to a hospital, saying he was unresponsive and had stopped eating. Hospital staff suspected abuse and called police.
Previous Stories:
- October 9, 2002: Unusual Motion Made To Attend Child's Autopsy
- October 7, 2002: Lafayette Child Abuse Case Moves Forward
- October 4, 2002: Lafayette Police Investigate Child Abuse Case
Copyright 2002 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
