Dual suicide attempts delay sentencing of abusive Jefferson County couple

Dual suicide attempts delay sentencing of abusive Jefferson County couple

POSTED: 06/19/2012 01:00:00 AM MDT

UPDATED: 06/19/2012 07:04:08 AM MDTBy Jessica Fender

The Denver Post

The sentencing of convicted child abusers Christine and Randall Arnold was delayed today after they apparently attempted to commit suicide at their Jefferson County home.

Relatives arrived this morning to find the Arnolds unresponsive, having consumed "a lot" of unknown pills, according to statements made in court today.

They were rushed to an area hospital, where they are in unknown condition.

A jury in April found the Arnolds guilty of multiple felony counts of child abuse causing serious bodily injury, the most serious of which carries a penalty of up to 32 years in prison.

Their sentencing has been postponed until July 13.

Prosecutors showed that the couple's seriously underweight 6-year-old adoptive son had been starved and beaten during his stay in the Arnold's home.

Bruises, scars and nicks from belt lashings marred the boy's tiny back, according to photos shown to jurors.

The child testified during trial that he was locked in his room for hours and made to take cold showers as punishment.

He said Christine Arnold pushed him down a narrow flight of stairs, giving him a "bad, bad, bad headache" in September 2010.

Christine Arnold called paramedics a few days later on Sept. 17, 2010, after the boy became unresponsive in his bed.

"Now he's in a foster home doing very well in a safe and nurturing environment with people who love and cherish him,"prosecutor Katie Kurtz said following the April verdict.

Prosecutors said in court today they were not surprised by what appeared to be the couple's suicide attempt.

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