Girl Died Saturday Night At Montrose Memorial ER
MONTROSE, Colo. -- A Montrose man is facing murder charges after a child he was baby-sitting died.Saturday, Montrose police and EMT's were called to a restaurant in the 2000 block of South Townsend Avenue for an infant who was't breathing. The infant was taken to Montrose Memorial hospital where she later died.The girl has been identified as 14-month old Hailey Rocha. The Montrose County Coroner has ruled the cause of death blunt force trauma and the manner of death a homicide.A man believed to be the mother's boyfriend is accused of causing the girl's death. Twenty-three year old Daniel Lee Ryan appeared before a judge Tuesday afternoon. He now faces of charges of Second Degree Murder and Child Abuse Resulting in Death.During the course of their investigation, Montrose Police say they learned Ryan had been baby-sitting Hailey on Saturday. Police believe the two were at the Rocha home in the 600 block of North Cascade when the injuries happened. They believe Ryan took her to the address on South Townsend when the baby started to show signs of medical distress."The baby was taken from the 600 block of North Cascade to the restaurant where the mother was working," Montrose Police Commander Gene Lillard explains. Monday evening, police brought Ryan in for questioning."He was arrested here at the Montrose Police Department and taken to the Montrose Criminal Justice Center," Lillard says.Ryan's court appearance Tuesday was very emotional for the victim's family and friends."Our condolences go out to the Hailey Rocha family. I know they are having a really tough time with this. It is a heartbreaker," Lillard says solemnly.During Tuesday's hearing, the victim's uncle tearfully asked the judge to raise the suspect's bail. He said his sister would not feel safe if he were to be released. The judge agreed, setting bail at $500,000 cash only. Ryan will return to court Wednesday, September 22nd.
