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Family, Ex-Friends React to Jensen Charges

by KREX News Room
by Courtney Griffin

Story Created: Jan 17, 2013 at 8:00 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jan 17, 2013 at 11:18 PM MDT

MESA COUNTY, Colo. - Heather Jensen made her first court appearance Thursday morning and told the judge she will not fight extradition back to Colorado. With this being said, she will be back in Mesa County sooner than later, though the timeline of her arrival is still unclear. It could range from a couple of days to a few weeks.

NewsChannel 5 spoke with family members and ex-friends of Jensen to get their reaction to the charges Jensen faces.

Those who know Heather Jensen say leaving her kids was typical behavior.

"She'd show up and be like, 'Hey, can you watch my kids for 30 or 45 minutes while I go run an errand,' and four, five or six hours later, she might show back up," said Kimberly Owen.

The women who ended up watching the two boys quite frequently say William and Tyler were a joy to be around.

"They were some beautiful, bright, smart little babies... how, why?" said Chantele Leirs.

Jensen was arrested in Florida and is charged with five counts, including two counts of child abuse resulting in death, which is a class 3 Felony.

"Five charges is nothing compared to what she should be hit with," said Leirs.

Mesa County District Attorney Pete Hautzinger says the maximum penalty is 32 years in prison, and the minimum penalty is probation.

"I think she deserves a lifetime in prison. I'm a mother, how do you hurt that [as she points to her child], whether you just leave them, or you're just not caring, how do you hurt them?" said Leirs.

"She should be charged with murder. Whether it's first-degree or third-degree," said Owen.

"She needs to do some time in prison to get off the drugs, and straighten her life out somewhat," said Robert Mathena, the step-grandfather of the Jensen boys.

Family and friends of the boys say it's a bittersweet time for them.

"Elation, happiness--we get to bury our grandchildren," said Mathena.

The next step for the grandparents is what they've been waiting for: burying the two boys next to their dad.

"That's the whole battle. The justice system will do its thing, but for us, it's burying our grandchildren," said Mathena.

The step-grandparents say the funeral will be held at the Palisade Funeral Home, hopefully within the next couple of weeks.

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we know you said on Wednesday, Jan 23 at 3:32 PM

kimberly owen is a loser who cant afford rent. she stayed for free in exchange for babysitting now shes all high and mighty. shell have to resort to blow j for somewhere to stay. put on some red lip stick pig

anonymous said on Sunday, Jan 20 at 7:03 PM

why do they want to bury the little angels that they said they werent related to?

jennifer O said on Saturday, Jan 19 at 8:40 PM

I have knowen this looser for a long time & its hardto believe that anyone would even think that she has rights. NO WAY she needs the whole treatment for what shes done. what a looser & heaven knows how she was treating her poor husband up until his accident. god b with you.

mother of 6 said on Saturday, Jan 19 at 8:35 PM

I am so pleased that those little people will be laid to rest finally. Wanting the grandparents to have peace about this uncalled for abuse. Leslie

I wouldn't said on Friday, Jan 18 at 9:16 PM

Apparently she really good...maybe she can earn good time for services rendered in jail.

Anonymous said on Friday, Jan 18 at 8:29 PM

Really tired of looking at her loser mug.

Persona non Grata said on Friday, Jan 18 at 2:19 PM

Funny thing is, by the time she gets out she will probably only get $5 for a BJ instead of $50 hahahahahah.

Mason Storm said on Friday, Jan 18 at 7:46 AM

For a person who obviously has no conscience, there is little hope that this may haunt her in the future, for it is also clear she has no soul. . .

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