Adoptive parents on trial in Jefferson County abuse case say 6-year-old injured himself

Adoptive parents on trial in Jefferson County abuse case say 6-year-old injured himself

POSTED: 04/11/2012 01:00:00 AM MDT

UPDATED: 04/11/2012 11:23:04 AM MDT

By Jessica Fender

The Denver Post

GOLDEN — The bruises, belt buckle marks and nicks that covered the 6-year-old boy authorities found suffering from a head injury at his adoptive parents' home were self-inflicted, according to defense attorneys for Christine and Randall Arnold.

The couple is being tried on felony child abuse charges after Christine Arnold called 911 the evening of Sept. 17, 2010 to report the boy had fallen down the stairs.

Their attorneys told jurors at opening arguments Tuesday that witnesses will say the child hit himself with a wooden spoon, threw himself into furniture and down stairs and had a habit of swinging a belt around.

"This is not a normal little boy. This is a boy with a number of issues," said attorney Peter Garin, who represents Christine Arnold.

They said the child had a history of bonding issues and rages.

Prosecutors say the real problem was Christine Arnold, who under stress fell into a pattern of abuse that they allege was largely ignored by her husband.

When the boy got in trouble in kindergarten and first grade, he would frequently disappear from school for a few days and return with new bruises, said prosecutor Jennifer Rhoads.

She said police found a chain lock on the outside of the boy's bedroom door and that Randall Arnold once asked a therapist whether it was normal for his wife to send the child there for 3-hour naps.

He told the school to call him — not his wife — if the boy acted up in school, Rhoads said. A teacher called home Christine Arnold three days before the 911 call to report the boy had stolen food at school.

"He didn't have bumps and bruises head to toe until he entered the defendants' home," Rhoads told jurors. "He had his challenges, and she couldn't deal."

When the boy entered the hospital weighing 30 pounds, doctors noted he'd grown the type of hair that can signal malnutrition and was hoarding food under his pillow.

Rhoads said he gained 10 to 15 pounds in the month that followed the Arnold's initial brush with authorities.

The trial continues today, when the child is expected to testify.

Jessica Fender: 303-954-1244 or jfender@denverpost.com