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Man Accused in Toddler Death Pleads Guilty

by KREX News Room
by Amanda Brandeis
by

Story Created: Dec 11, 2012 at 12:58 PM MDT

Story Updated: Dec 12, 2012 at 12:30 AM MDT

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. On Tuesday the man accused in the death of a Grand Junction toddler entered a plea of guilty.

Justin Keel accepted a plea deal in the case and waived his right to a jury trial.

Family members and friends of the toddler who away expressed mixed reactions after the hearing, including relief and anger. One said, no amount of time spent behind bars will ever be worth the life of the young boy. The toddler's mother walked out of the hearing early, very emotional.

Keel was her boyfriend at the time of the incident.

Keel was charged with child abuse resulting in the death of the 19-month-old baby. It is a class two felony.

Authorities say Owen Reak was found dead by his grandparents in Montrose in April.

An investigation revealed the injuries were sustained in Mesa County, and investigators later discovered that Keel, who was the boyfriend of the toddler's mother, was watching Owen before he died.

Mark Hand, chief deputy district attorney, said, "Mr. Keel's sentence will be up to the Colorado Department of Corrections for a period of 24 to 36 years, plus parole. The family was consulted by the district attorney's office and agreed to the plea agreement in this case."

Keel will be sentenced on February 15 at 1:30 p.m. There is no bond available.

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PRAYER'S FOR OWEN said on Thursday, Dec 13 at 9:33 AM

the family has pushed very hard for answers and justice. there is much more to this than will be released on any news sight. i assure this community there is nothing fishy about any of owen's mom! she just trusted a very evil con man and then trusted community hospital that an xray proved Owen was "fine" when in fact we now know he needed an MRI but one was not suggested. Owen's loved one's, myself included all dropped to our knees to get that hysterical horrific phone call, only then to get another devastating one to find it was MURDER! we all thought maybe he had swallowed something bad including Amber. this family needs support instead of judgement. believe it or not i never thought anything like this could happen in my family, sure you all think the same. well it can and did!

questions unanswered said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 6:29 PM

That is so true. Have to take a plea to avoid life, he did not admit to abusing the child. I also believe he took a deal to avoid life,

jesus gonzalez III said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 6:07 PM

There is something still fishy about Amber and the whole change and inconsistency in stories until she got a lawyer. I believe that keel was thrown a plea and nothing else, so 24-36 or trial and maybe life. No brained there. Then there's the hospital that released a child that was on the verge of death? If there was something that bad to a child they would have alerted authorities and admitted the child.

??? said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 3:56 PM

oh, his mom, I didnt hear he went to alaska, his mom has a felony,so how do you know all this, are you the law? just strange you have all this information.You should be helping them. Im not for him just, wondering how people can conclude things when not there. I do feel for the family.

PRAYER'S FOR OWEN said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 2:36 PM

no Amber did NOT go to jail she sucessfully cleared her polygraph! the mother of justin did, she got felony aiding and abeting as she started a high speed chase when the police tried to arrest justin after he fled colorado and went to alaska then new mexico? still sound like a set up? i think not! Amber was a good mom with great family support! she is undescribably destroyed by this!

??? said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 12:47 PM

channel 5 said that,??

??? said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 12:13 PM

really the mom went to jail??? i didnt hear that. wow

Anonymous said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 12:06 PM

Hey justice: He pleaded guilty, ie., that's admission. Moron.

pray for owen's family said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 10:06 AM

the 3 coroner's reports supported the injuries could not have been inflicted by a 100 lb woman,(especialy not his dog ans he tried to say at first) definatly could by a large strong man. he could not tell a consistant story EVER, refused a poly graph and got a lawyer the day murder was determined! do the math and get out of denial! there is no trial because he has now way to tell the truth and is a horrible liar! im sure the jusry would loved to hear how his mother also went to jail for trying to evade his arrest.. just save this state all that money!

??? said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 9:55 AM

how do YOU know he did it????? were you there???? guessing no trail because of the set up.

pray for Owen's family! said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 9:54 AM

this evil animal was a con man! he was the ONLY person with him while the huge BOOM was heard from the mother in the shower! then had the Gall to try and waive it off saying he was a fragile anemic brat. let him rot in Jail till he goes to his firy judgement! his entire family is still devastated and grieving. Freedom, yes there were 2 there, one in the shower and one who created a tremendous BOOM followed by a crying injured baby! the correct one is in jail!

Anonymous said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 8:16 AM

No one was set up here.He did it.She just trusted and lost her son over it. He deserves whatever he gets. If he didn't do it then why isn't he taking it to trial?

?? said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 8:02 AM

statements show that the couple was together in the care of the child that day, not just Justin Keel,

justice for all said on Wednesday, Dec 12 at 7:58 AM

daiey sentinel said he confessed to abusing the child, He did no such thing, I hope channel 5 gives the truth!!!thanks channel 5

freedom said on Tuesday, Dec 11 at 2:56 PM

when a person is set up its hard to fight the justice system, people should not believe everything they read, the only people that know the truth are the ones that were there

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