Posted: 07/12/2011

Source: The Denver Post





Criminal charges have been filed against an
Adams County Sheriff's deputy who is accused of
breaking the jaw of a 15-year-old boy who was
in an ambulance with his hands and feet
restrained.

Patrol Deputy David Morrow, 28, is charged with
child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury,
second-degree assault and tampering with a
witness, all felonies, as well as a misdemeanor
charge of official oppression, according to a joint
statement this afternoon from the Adams County
District Attorney's Office and Sheriff's
Department.

The incident happened at when deputies broke
up a party in unincorporated Adams County
between Thornton and Welby about 1 a.m. on
June 12 and the teenager was allegedly drunk
and became "verbally abusive," they said

The boy was being taken to a hospital because
he would not provide information about his
parents so they could be notified, according to
the statement, issued after an internal
investigation of the incident.

"Witnesses report that Morrow entered the
ambulance to retrieve his handcuffs," the sheriff
and prosecutors offices stated.

"Morrow was told he could exit though the back
door, but insisted on exiting through the side
door in front of the ambulance. As he passed the
juvenile restrained on the ambulance gurney,
Morrow struck the juvenile on the face with a
closed fist."

According to an arrest affidavit obtained by
9News, Morrow then said to the ambulance staff,
"Nobody saw anything, right?"

Morrow has been on paid leave, but was placed
on leave without pay today, because of the
charges being filed.

"This is an unfortunate day for the Adams County
Sheriff's Office," says Sheriff Doug Darr stated.

He added, "This is very serious business. 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. We are not above the law."

Morrow has been a deputy since 2004, 9News
reported.