ADAMS COUNTY Guilty plea in death of boy, 21/2

ADAMS COUNTY Guilty plea in death of boy, 21/2

The Denver Post

A former foster parent sobbed and trembled Wednesday as he  pleaded guilty to negligently causing the death of his  21/2-year-old foster son.Ricky John Haney, 38, of Westminster had faced up to 48 years  in prison for felony child abuse resulting in death.

He now faces up to 32 for the lesser charge of child abuse  caused by negligence resulting in death. Sentencing is scheduled  for Aug. 2 in Adams County District Court.

Haney killed Miguel Arias-Baca after he returned home from a  Super Bowl party Jan. 31, 1999, and discovered the child had  dirtied his diaper.

Adams County District Attorney Bob Grant said Miguel's  mother, Odelia Baca, was consulted about the plea and agreed with  it. She could not be reached directly for comment.

"A prison sentence is warranted any time a child dies under  these circumstances," Grant said.

Haney's attorney, Jeff Pagliuca, characterized the case as a  tragic anomaly. "Ricky Haney is a very nice guy who has no history  of violence," Pagliuca said. "He does not know how or why this  happened."

Police say Haney returned home after watching the Super Bowl  at a friend's house and found the boy had soiled his diaper.

Haney, who had been drinking, picked Arias-Baca up off a  cabinet and slammed him to the floor. The back of the boy's head  struck the floor, Haney told police. Haney also admitted that he  smeared the child's face with feces.

Haney and his wife, E'von, took the unconscious child to the  hospital about 1 a.m. Feb. 1, 1999, and claimed he had fallen off  a toilet. Miguel died the next day. The autopsy report said Miguel  died of non-accidental massive injury to the head and that he had  bruises over most of his body.

Haney confessed to police on Feb. 8 after he was told about  the autopsy results.

"He is extremely remorseful," Pagliuca said. "He knows he  can't bring Miguel back and is devastated by that. He is willing  to do whatever is in his power to make sure nothing like this ever  happens again."

Pagliuca will argue at Haney's sentencing hearing that he  should be placed on probation, he said.

Miguel and his 14-month-old brother were placed in foster  care after social workers took them away from their mother because  of drug abuse. The death of Miguel and other children in foster  care has resulted in reforms of Colorado's foster-care system.