EVANS – The parents of a 3-month-old boy who is suffering from permanent brain damage were arrested earlier this week in Colorado after police accused the couple of child abuse.
The Evans Police Department said Cheyanne Villa, 27, of Greeley, and Raphael Engwongwo, 23, of Evans, were arrested on Wednesday, KUSA-TV reported Friday.
Evans Police and the Weld County district attorney’s office began the investigation after the baby was taken to the emergency department of UCHealth Greeley Medical Center on Nov. 22 for seizures.
Hospital staff members determined the boy had bleeding in his brain before he was taken by helicopter to Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora, authorities said. He was immediately taken to the intensive care unit, where police said it took several days to stabilize him enough to perform a complete evaluation.
Police said the evaluation revealed the child had several broken bones throughout his “entire body” and suffered irreversible brain damage. Police said he will face “significant challenges” for the rest of his life.
The child recovered and was released to Child Protective Services, authorities said.
Villa and Engwongwo were arrested on multiple felony charges, including child abuse, false reporting to authorities and others.
Online court records do not show if Villa and Engwongwo have an attorney who could comment on their behalf. They have not yet had an opportunity to enter a plea. Both are scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.
