Heather Jensen allegedly left two kids alone in running car while meeting man: One died
The more details that emerge from the death of William Jensen, age two, and the hospitalization of his four-year-old brother Tyler, the more disturbing the story becomes. According to an affidavit, investigators believe there's probable cause to charge the boys' mother, Heather Jensen, with neglect -- for allegedly leaving them in a running vehicle for ninety minutes while she met with a man.
Big photos below.
The most thorough account of the incident to date comes from the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, which notes that Heather, a resident of Palisade, on Colorado's Western Slope, called authorities at 6:31 p.m. on Tuesday to report that William was unconscious and Tyler suffered from labored breathing that caused him to sputter as he tried to take in air.
Emergency personnel rushed to help, but they were too late to save William, who was pronounced dead at the scene. For his part, Tyler was still alive, but barely. He was initially rushed to Saint Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction before being transferred to Children's Hospital in Denver. The most recent report lists him in critical condition.
A look at the SUV where the tragedy took place courtesy of Fox31.
According to a search warrant cited by the Sentinel, Heather initially told Mesa County Sheriff's Office deputies that she'd traveled with the kids to the Powderhorn ski resort, approximately a half-hour's drive from Palisade, and allowed the pair to play in the snow there. Afterward, she said she put them in their car seats and revved up her vehicle, a Toyota 4Runner. She then stepped outside to smoke a cigarette, at which point she was engaged in conversation by a friend who drove by. Ten minutes or so passed, at which point she climbed into the SUV and started for home, only to be stopped short by the sound of Tyler's gurgling.
An older shot of the boys from Heather Jensen's Peek You page.
She reacted by pulling over and checking on the boys -- and when she learned William wasn't breathing at all, she dialed 911. The operator sent out the alert, then instructed her on performing CPR -- but to no avail.
Later that evening, however, Heather is said to have changed key aspects of the tale.
Continue to read more about the death of two-year-old William Jensen.
Email to Friend
Write to Editor
Print Article
