Mom charged with murder

An Aurora woman has been charged with first-degree murder and child abuse in the death of her 6-year-old adopted son.

Royce Elaine Clark, 54, is accused of causing the death of Hoa Nguyen, also known as Christopher Royce Shepherd, by shaking him.

The boy died April 17 at Children's Hospital, three days after he was rushed to the hospital from Clark's home in the 2000 block of South Rifle Street. Emergency crews had been called to the home on a report that the child had fallen and wasn't breathing, police said.

Police arrested Clark that night on suspicion of child abuse. She was released on $10,000 bond at the time but was ordered held without bail Wednesday when she appeared in Arapahoe County District Court to face charges.

An autopsy showed the boy died of complications from head injuries.

According to a court document, police believe Clark shook the boy violently while holding him by his shoulders April 13. The next day, the child was found passed out in the living room and was taken to the hospital.

Clark admitted to a physician that she shook him, the document said. There were two other adopted children in the house - a 3-year-old girl and a 13-year-old girl. They were taken from the home and placed elsewhere by Arapahoe County Social Services.