Post by Mike on Jul 12, 2011 16:51:47 GMT -7
"I did something bad": deputy arrested for breaking teen's jaw
ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. – A 28-year-old sheriff’s deputy is facing felony charges after allegedly punching a restrained 15-year-old boy in the face, breaking the teen’s jaw. The Adams County District Attorney’s Office has charged Deputy David Morrow with Child Abuse Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, Second Degree Assault, Tampering with a Witness, and Official Oppression.
Morrow turned himself in to Glendale Police Tuesday.
According to the arrest affidavit, Adams County deputies responded to a call about a large disturbance at 8790 Welby Road just after 1:00 a.m. on June 12, 2011. At least two teens were contacted by deputies, and one was issued a summons and released to a parent. The second teen, who appeared to be highly intoxicated, was described as being verbally combative and refused to tell deputies how to contact his parents, so he was transported by ambulance to the hospital.
Because of the teen’s belligerent behavior, a member of the ambulance crew restrained the teen’s hands and feet in order to assess his injuries, and no visible injuries were noted. It was then Morrow allegedly entered the ambulance to retrieve his handcuffs.
According to witnesses, Morrow “struck the juvenile on the face with a closed fist” as he passed the teen, who was still restrained on the ambulance gurney. The teen suffered a broken jaw.
According to the arrest affidavit, Morrow told the ambulance crew, “Nobody saw anything, right?”
The crew filed a complaint against Morrow, and an internal investigation began on June 12. The deputy has been on administrative leave with pay since June 22, and he was placed on administrative leave without pay as of Tuesday, July 12. The teen’s family filed a complaint against Morrow ten days after the incident.
During the investigation Morrow is quoted as telling a sergeant that “he had a terrible lapse in judgment and did something bad,” according to the affidavit.
“This is very serious business,” said Adams County Sheriff Doug Darr. “We have a responsibility to investigate all allegations of violations of Colorado law regardless of the individual’s position.”
“It’s about doing the right thing regardless of the circumstances. It is the only way to maintain the trust and respect of the community we serve,” Darr said. “We are not above the law.”
ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. – A 28-year-old sheriff’s deputy is facing felony charges after allegedly punching a restrained 15-year-old boy in the face, breaking the teen’s jaw. The Adams County District Attorney’s Office has charged Deputy David Morrow with Child Abuse Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, Second Degree Assault, Tampering with a Witness, and Official Oppression.
Morrow turned himself in to Glendale Police Tuesday.
According to the arrest affidavit, Adams County deputies responded to a call about a large disturbance at 8790 Welby Road just after 1:00 a.m. on June 12, 2011. At least two teens were contacted by deputies, and one was issued a summons and released to a parent. The second teen, who appeared to be highly intoxicated, was described as being verbally combative and refused to tell deputies how to contact his parents, so he was transported by ambulance to the hospital.
Because of the teen’s belligerent behavior, a member of the ambulance crew restrained the teen’s hands and feet in order to assess his injuries, and no visible injuries were noted. It was then Morrow allegedly entered the ambulance to retrieve his handcuffs.
According to witnesses, Morrow “struck the juvenile on the face with a closed fist” as he passed the teen, who was still restrained on the ambulance gurney. The teen suffered a broken jaw.
According to the arrest affidavit, Morrow told the ambulance crew, “Nobody saw anything, right?”
The crew filed a complaint against Morrow, and an internal investigation began on June 12. The deputy has been on administrative leave with pay since June 22, and he was placed on administrative leave without pay as of Tuesday, July 12. The teen’s family filed a complaint against Morrow ten days after the incident.
During the investigation Morrow is quoted as telling a sergeant that “he had a terrible lapse in judgment and did something bad,” according to the affidavit.
“This is very serious business,” said Adams County Sheriff Doug Darr. “We have a responsibility to investigate all allegations of violations of Colorado law regardless of the individual’s position.”
“It’s about doing the right thing regardless of the circumstances. It is the only way to maintain the trust and respect of the community we serve,” Darr said. “We are not above the law.”