Watch CBS News

4-Year-Old With Severe Injuries Dies; Mother's Boyfriend Arrested

LAKEWOOD, Colo. (CBS4) - A 4-year-old boy who died Thursday had suffered from internal hemorrhaging, a broken rib and leg, damage to his organs and blunt-force trauma to his midsection, police said.

An autopsy showed the victim sustained injuries to his liver, kidneys, pancreas and lungs.

Police arrested Ever Alexander Lopez-Calidonio on child abuse resulting in death after he called police Thursday to report the child not breathing.

According to an arrest affidavit, Lopez-Calidonio told police he was taking the boy to a babysitter when he said, "Daddy, daddy" and then collapsed. Lopez-Calidonia said he tried to perform CPR, but the boy didn't respond.

The child was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Ever Alexander Lopez-Calidonio
Ever Alexander Lopez-Calidonio (credit: Lakewood Police)

The family lives in apartments in the area of 310 S. Ames St.

Neighbors said they wished they could have done something to help the boy after they observed problems at the apartment Lopez-Calidonia, 25, shared with the child and child's mother.

"I told officers that we did think he was scared," neighbor Elyse Clower said. "He wasn't very clean. I have two children and you can tell if somebody is neglectful to a child."

Neighbors said there were cockroaches crawling from under the apartment door.

Investigators combed the second-story apartment for evidence on Friday morning, which they say was filthy. Hours later, police posted an officer to guard the apartment.

The arrest affidavit also mentioned allegations of sexual abuse against two young girls who live in the apartment, and police said they are investigating those claims.

LAKEWOOD 4 YO DEATH PKG.transfer_frame_720
The apartment building on Friday (credit: CBS)

Another neighbor said the boy lived with his mother, her boyfriend and two girls presumed to be the boy's sisters.

"The little girls were cool. They always petted the dog and played with my son," said the neighbor.

Neighbors told CBS4 they feel horrible about not speaking up about their concerns sooner.

"My fiance and I are heavy-hearted that we didn't say anything, but you don't want to get in people's personal lives," Clower said. "I just encourage everybody if you feel anything in your gut to do something about it. It's better that you say something and you're wrong than having something happen and a child dies."

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.