CAÑON CITY, Colo. — A Colorado appeals court has reinstated murder and child abuse charges against William Jacobs in connection with the death of 10-month-old Edward Hayes, who died at a Cañon City motel in May 2023. This ruling overturns a district court decision that had dismissed the case in 2024 due to comments made by the former district attorney.
The court’s decision on May 21 returns the case to Fremont County for further proceedings. The previous dismissal came after former 11th Judicial District Attorney Linda Stanley made public statements deeming Jacobs had “zero investment” in the child, remarks that were deemed inappropriate but not sufficient to warrant a complete dismissal of the charges. Jacobs, currently presumed innocent, was 21 at the time of the infant’s death.
Emergency services responded to the Motel 6 on May 21, 2023, following reports of an unresponsive infant. Despite attempts to revive him at Children’s Hospital Colorado in Colorado Springs, Edward succumbed to his injuries. Investigators determined that Jacobs was responsible for caring for the child while Edward’s mother, Brook Crawford, was at work.
Court documents reveal that Jacobs had developed a quick relationship with Crawford after both began living in the same motel room. Reports indicate that while under Jacobs’ care, Edward suffered noticeable injuries, including a bite mark on the arm, as well as head trauma. Investigators claim Jacobs described distressing incidents, such as the child hitting walls and a light fixture.
The dismissal of the case took place after Judge Kaitlin Turner determined that Stanley’s comments had violated Jacobs’ right to due process. However, the appeals court viewed the situation differently, stating that the remarks did not influence the decision to charge Jacobs and indicated that other legal mechanisms exist to mitigate issues of pretrial publicity.
Stanley’s conduct had become a subject of scrutiny beyond Jacobs’ case, ultimately leading to her disbarment and removal from office in November 2024 for ethical breaches. Although her comments regarding Jacobs were a factor in the dismissal, they also sparked a wider conversation about judicial accountability in high-profile cases. By the time the appeals court reevaluated Jacobs’ case, a new district attorney, Jeff Lindsey, had taken office and initiated the appeal process.
The reinstated charges against Jacobs include first-degree murder regarding a victim under the age of 12, along with two counts of child abuse involving severe bodily injury. At present, no court date has been established for the revived case, but the appeals court has directed further action in the district court. Upcoming proceedings may address several key legal matters, including bond conditions, the admissibility of evidence, and the potential necessity for special precautions due to prior media exposure.
Meanwhile, Crawford faces her own set of charges in a separate case, including child abuse and animal cruelty. Reports indicate that her child abuse charges were later reduced. Investigations suggest that while Crawford was at work, the circumstances surrounding Edward’s death hinge both on Jacobs’ care and the medical evidence that illustrates the nature and cause of the infant’s injuries.
The unfolding legal drama emphasizes the blurred lines of care, housing, and parenting that characterized the environment in which Edward died. Witnesses, including a nearby nurse who initiated CPR on the child, may play pivotal roles in the upcoming trial. With the motel serving as a backdrop where personal and legal narratives intertwine, crucial questions remain about the events leading to Edward’s tragic death and Jacobs’ responsibility for the fatal injuries.
As the case progresses back to Fremont County, it remains to be seen how the legal proceedings will develop amid the backdrop of heightened public interest and the tragic loss that propelled them into the spotlight.