BRIGHTON, Colo. — A Brighton father, who is also a deputy with the Adams County Sheriff's Office (ACSO), has been charged with misdemeanor child abuse of his infant daughter, the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office said Wednesday.
Robert Joseph Slater Sheetz, 30, was arrested after police responded to Children's Hospital Colorado regarding possible abuse involving a 34-day-old baby with injuries to her face, the DA's Office said. Her mother had taken the baby to the hospital that morning from the family residence
The alleged abuse occurred in the early morning hours of Sept. 18 at the Sheetz home in Brighton, according to the Brighton Police Department (BPD) said. A physician concluded that the infant had suffered non-accidental trauma.
Sheetz is charged with one count of knowing or reckless child abuse resulting in injury, a Class 1 misdemeanor.
His next court appearance is at 9 a.m. Nov. 5 in Division 7 of Adams County Court.
A spokesperson for ACSO confirmed that Sheetz is a deputy with the department and said he's currently on administrative leave.
Sheetz was originally facing a felony charge of child abuse causing serious bodily injury – it's unclear why the charge was dropped to a misdemeanor.
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