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Mother Arrested in Deaths of Jensen Boys Left in Vehicle

by KREX News Room
by Courtney Griffin

Story Created: Jan 16, 2013 at 7:49 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jan 18, 2013 at 9:09 AM MDT

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - Heather Jensen, the mother of two boys, William Jensen, 2, and Tyler Jensen, 4, who died from hyperthermia, was arrested Wednesday afternoon in North Fort Myers, Florida.

"All I can really say at this point is that it was a horrible, horrible tragedy. It was not an intentional killing. I filed the charges that I think are appropriate and we will take it from there," said Mesa County District Attorney Pete Hautzinger.

Jensen is charged with five different counts. Two counts of Child Abuse Resulting in Death, two counts of Criminally Negligent Homicide, and one count of False Reporting to Authorities.

"Frankly to file a charge of first-degree murder, I'd have to believe that there was evidence of premeditation, planning, or intent, and there's really no evidence of that. My ethical duty is to file the charges I believe I can prove beyond a reasonable doubt and criminally negligent child abuse resulting in death is what I believe can be proven," said Hautzinger.

Child Abuse Resulting in Death is a class 3 Felony, which could leave Jensen facing many years in prison.

"It could go as high as 24 years. At the same time, it's not a crime of violence. It's not one of the charges that would require a judge to send her to prison. If she goes to trial and she's convicted then the judge is still going to have discretion to do anything from probation to prison," said Hautzinger.

Jensen is in Florida with a bond of $150,000. Officials say what happens next is up to Jensen.

"She can waive her right to contest extradition and agree to come back here voluntarily, or she can choose to contest it, and that can take many weeks, if not months, to get her back here. The ball's kind of in her court there," said Hautzinger.

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I'm not underdstanding this case said on Wednesday, Jan 16 at 10:00 PM

Can somebody please explain what I'm missing or not reading between the lines on? The kids died in a vehicle of overheating on the Mesa and there's snow on the ground. outside? How does that happen? Was the car running during her rendezvous with the guy and she had the heat cranked? Sorry, I'm not understanding how this could happen.

Amy said on Wednesday, Jan 16 at 10:42 PM

Yes the car was running with heater on. An accident! Losing two kids should be punishment enough.

Jan said on Wednesday, Jan 16 at 11:50 PM

Yes it may have been an accident. But to leave to children unattended for a long enough period of time form them to over heat, is neglect on her part. Not once checking on them to notice that the car was an inferno!!!!! All because she was occupying another person in a separate vehicle. Not intentional but poor judgment as a mother. And now justice is served for her actions and choices. Sad that it had to end the way it did. But glad to see charges where put in place and she is not just walking away with no consequences.

Anonymous said on Thursday, Jan 17 at 8:23 AM

thank god she is in jail now she needs to be

Are you serious? said on Thursday, Jan 17 at 10:33 AM

She had sex in a public roadway -She needs to charged as a sex offender. Her boyfriend got out and urinated on a public roadway, he also is a sex offender. Will he be arrested too?

Just Say-In said on Thursday, Jan 17 at 12:57 PM

to: "are you serious" -she wasn't with her boyfriend but yet another guy, 30 days after her husband and father of her two kids is killed in a car accident, the same day she collects his death benefit monies and she went to Florida instead of burying her children after lying to the Investigators. She made herself look guilty no matter what.

Jeez said on Thursday, Jan 17 at 2:15 PM

Courtney Griffin needs to use spell-check.

Anonymous said on Thursday, Jan 17 at 2:46 PM

Another proud product of USA inc. The liberal agenda at work. Tax em to death forcing the kids to be state raised, instill loose morals, remove prayer and God. Sodom and Gomorrah seem due an apology.....

Persona non Grata said on Thursday, Jan 17 at 2:49 PM

Yes Yes YES!!!! Justice. I still am saddened at the loss of two beautiful children though, at least she has some of whats coming to her.

mother of 6 said on Thursday, Jan 17 at 4:56 PM

Shame on this worthless B'''' What in the hell is the matter with the other guys that were having something to do with this pig. Please lay those little people to rest at least with their daddy and pray that whats coming to that scab that she goes to prison faster then you can call her an unfit mother. also god-bless those grandparents I am thinking about you.

anonomous said on Sunday, Jan 20 at 7:11 PM

to just say in you have your facts wrong the drunkin grandparents are tryin to get money out of this they bought not one flower for their sons funeral and now want the good people of clifton to foot the bill so the angels can have a "christian burial" like they have a clue what that is

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