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Family Member Speaks Out About Toddler Death

by KREX News Room
by Courtney Griffin

Story Created: Nov 28, 2012 at 6:30 PM MDT

Story Updated: Nov 29, 2012 at 8:01 AM MDT

MESA COUNTY, Colo.- Authorities responded to Powderhorn Road and Highway 65 around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday when two young children appeared to be having some sort of severe medical issues.

By the time the Mesa County Sheriff's Office arrived, one of the children, a 2-year-old boy, had passed away.

His brother, a 4-year-old boy, was taken by CareFlight to St. Mary's Hospital and then transported overnight to Children's Hospital in Denver.

Authorities are not confirming whether any guardians were present or if the vehicle had been abandoned.

NewsChannel 5 spoke with Robert Mathena, who says he is the children's step-grandfather.

He didn't want to speak on camera; however, he did say that sadly, he isn't surprised about what happened.

According to Mathena, Heather Jensen is the mother of the two boys, William and Tyler.

He says that Jensen has a history of bad behavior, including a third-degree misdemeanor assault charge on her record.

Mathena told NewsChannel 5 that he believes Jensen went skiing with another person up at the old Powderhorn ski site when she left the boys in a running vehicle.

Two of Mathena's stepsons are in Denver at the Children's Hospital with 4-year-old Tyler, who he says is comatose.

Due to the sensitive nature of the investigation, information from authorities is coming in slowly.

The Mesa County Coroner's Office worked overnight and continued their work Wednesday.

Officials say they'll release a cause and manner of death for 2-year-old William once an autopsy is complete.

It's unknown whether the investigation will turn criminal.

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Persona non Grata said on Thursday, Nov 29 at 8:56 PM

I hope the effing mother hangs herself.

Micah said on Thursday, Nov 29 at 8:19 AM

Even the news stations out of Denver have more and better details than our own local people do. How do people that live 300 miles away with a major mountain range between them and us, still manage to report on our local news better than our own news stations?

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