2-year-old special needs boy died after his mother, who declined professional help as she “knew what was best for him”, physically abused the boy and left him unattended for hours; sentenced
Colorado – In a disturbing case out of Colorado, a 25-year-old mother, identified as M. Latka, has been sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for the tragic death of her 2-year-old special needs son. The mother faced charges of first-degree murder after she fatally abused her son, who required constant medical care due to his special needs.
The horrifying events leading to the young boy’s death unfolded over two years ago, when local authorities were alerted to an unresponsive child with multiple injuries. On January 31, 2023, police responded to a call from a local hospital about a 2-year-old boy who was brought in under suspicious circumstances. The child had severe marks on his face, legs, back, and chest and had blood on his lips along with scratch marks on his face and chest. Despite immediate medical attention and being airlifted to a specialized hospital, the young boy was pronounced dead later that evening.
Investigations revealed that Latka, frustrated with her son for pulling out his tracheal tube—a device essential for his breathing—subjected him to severe physical abuse. The abuse included tying the boy’s hands, spanking him, and even hitting him in the mouth. In her statement to the police, Latka admitted to becoming frustrated because the child had been “screaming and crying” and was trying to remove his tube. She also disclosed that she had tied the child’s hands behind his back with a hair tie to prevent him from pulling at the tube.
During a search of their residence, police discovered that Latka had left the child swaddled tightly in a blanket from 6 a.m. until she returned at 3:15 p.m., only to find him blue and unresponsive. Her attempt to rush him to the hospital was thwarted by her car breaking down, forcing her to call 911 from the road. The boy’s condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to his untimely death. Further investigations brought to light that Latka had repeatedly declined professional medical help for her son, claiming “she knew what was best for him” as she had attended a class on how to take care of the boy the previous year. This tragic decision contributed to the neglect and inadequate care of the boy, who was left unattended for hours.
The court heard disturbing accounts from a roommate who witnessed Latka’s harsh treatment of her son, including incidents where she smashed the child’s head against a wall. Medical experts testified that the boy’s death was preventable and likely caused by an obstruction in his tracheal tube, which went unnoticed due to Latka’s negligence in monitoring his medical equipment. The gravity of the case was underscored by the testimonies and evidence presented during the trial. Latka was convicted of first-degree murder, acknowledging that her actions knowingly caused the death of her son. Judge A. Markenson sentenced her to life without the possibility of parole, reflecting the severity of the crime.
The case has left the community and the boy’s family in shock, mourning the loss of a young life to such brutal circumstances. According to reports from local media, Latka’s attorney plans to file an appeal, although the overwhelming evidence presented at trial paints a clear picture of her guilt. This case serves as a somber reminder of the critical importance of proper care for children with special needs and the devastating consequences of neglect and abuse.
