Infant's Death Ruled Homicide
DA Reviewing Medical Records Before Moving Forward
POSTED: 5:52 a.m. MDT October 15, 2002
The death of a badly beaten 9-week-old infant was a homicide, the Boulder County coroner ruled Monday.
Prosecutors had said they were waiting for the ruling before deciding whether to file murder charges against the child's father. Prosecutors did not return telephone messages after the ruling was issued late Monday afternoon.
Tanner Dowler died of a closed head injury, the coroner's office determined.
He died Saturday night at Denver Health Medical Center after his grandparents had him taken off life support. Doctors said the boy had a brain injury, possibly from a lack of oxygen. He also had broken arms and legs, burns to his feet and an abrasion on his face.
His father, Joseph Dowler, 34 (pictured, far left), of Lafayette, faces 12 counts of child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury. He was in jail under $1 million bail.
His mother, Audra Dowler, 19 (pictured, near left), was being held under $500,000 bail. She is to be formally charged Oct. 23.
Prosecutors have said the infant's death could result in murder charges. District Attorney Mary Keenen said she and her staffers will review the infant's medical records and results of Monday's autopsy before they make a decision.
The baby's grandparents were granted the right by a court Friday to determine the boy's care. Lea Dowler, Joseph Dowler's stepmother, said the family decided to take Tanner off the ventilator.
She said she and her husband, Woody Dowler, considered only Tanner, not the fate of Joseph Dowler. "It was very difficult. There was a lot of praying and soul-searching," she said.
Lea Dowler said she had written and faxed letters to three county child protection agencies, including Boulder County's, while Audra Dowler was pregnant. She said she was concerned how the couple, who had been living out of cars, would provide for their newborn.
Colorado's Department of Human Services is reviewing how the Boulder County Department of Social Services responded, spokeswoman Liz McDonough said Sunday.
Tanner's parents took him to the Lafayette Community Medical Center on Oct. 6 because the baby was lethargic. Staffers suspected child abuse and notified police. The child was transferred to the Denver hospital.
Joseph Dowler said sometimes he covered the infant's face with a coat or pillow when he cried, according to police reports. Once, police said, he tapped the infant on his forehead so hard it bruised, saying, "You have to stop!"
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His father, Joseph Dowler, 34 (pictured, far left), of Lafayette, faces 12 counts of child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury. He was in jail under $1 million bail.
His mother, Audra Dowler, 19 (pictured, near left), was being held under $500,000 bail. She is to be formally charged Oct. 23.
Prosecutors have said the infant's death could result in murder charges. District Attorney Mary Keenen said she and her staffers will review the infant's medical records and results of Monday's autopsy before they make a decision.
The baby's grandparents were granted the right by a court Friday to determine the boy's care. Lea Dowler, Joseph Dowler's stepmother, said the family decided to take Tanner off the ventilator.
She said she and her husband, Woody Dowler, considered only Tanner, not the fate of Joseph Dowler. "It was very difficult. There was a lot of praying and soul-searching," she said.
Lea Dowler said she had written and faxed letters to three county child protection agencies, including Boulder County's, while Audra Dowler was pregnant. She said she was concerned how the couple, who had been living out of cars, would provide for their newborn.
Colorado's Department of Human Services is reviewing how the Boulder County Department of Social Services responded, spokeswoman Liz McDonough said Sunday.
Tanner's parents took him to the Lafayette Community Medical Center on Oct. 6 because the baby was lethargic. Staffers suspected child abuse and notified police. The child was transferred to the Denver hospital.
Joseph Dowler said sometimes he covered the infant's face with a coat or pillow when he cried, according to police reports. Once, police said, he tapped the infant on his forehead so hard it bruised, saying, "You have to stop!"
- October 14, 2002: Murder Charges Considered In Child Abuse Case
- October 13, 2002: Baby In Lafayette Child Abuse Case Dies
- October 10, 2002: More Charges Filed In Lafayette Child Abuse Case
- 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.
