GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – A 9-year-old girl in Grand Junction who died last month was poisoned, the Mesa County Coroner said Monday evening.
The girl’s death on Nov. 9 was originally investigated as an unattended death, our ABC-affiliate in Colorado Springs reports.
But in a news release posted on their website this past Saturday, the Grand Junction Police Department said they had arrested a man in connection with the girl’s death.
Jeffrey Beagley, 34, of Grand Junction, was arrested Friday on suspicion of multiple felony charges including first-degree murder, child abuse resulting in death, and reckless manslaughter. He also faces charges of attempted sex assault on a child by one in a position of trust, sexual exploitation of children, and invasion of privacy for sexual gratification.
The suspect is being detained at the Mesa County Detention Facility. Their relationship is unclear at this time.
The report from Mesa County Coroner Victor Yahn did not show what kind of poison was used, only stating the cause of death was poisoning and the manner of death was homicide.
“Our hearts go out to all those who continue to grieve the loss of their loved one,” police said in the news release.
