A 19-year-old El Paso County father is facing serious felony charges after hospital staff discovered multiple fractures to the ribs and legs of his seven-month-old twin infants, according to county officials. Detectives with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office were called in after the babies were brought to a local hospital, and the Department of Human Services took custody of both children. The suspect was booked in late May and has since been released on bond while the investigation continues.
According to KKTV, medical staff determined the injuries were non-accidental and linked them to a residence in the 11000 block of Garrett Road in unincorporated El Paso County. The twins’ father, identified by authorities as Samuel Maldonaldo Montano, was arrested and booked into the El Paso County Jail on May 28. He is charged with two counts of child abuse and two counts of first-degree assault. Officials say Montano was released on a $25,000 bond and that the criminal investigation remains active.
What investigators say
El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal condemned the alleged crimes as “reprehensible” and said his office has “zero tolerance for anyone who inflicts harm on a child,” according to KKTV. Detectives report they are still gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses as the case works its way through the county investigation phase.
State child welfare context
Infants and toddlers are among the most vulnerable in suspected abuse cases, and Colorado agencies often step in when medical professionals flag serious injuries. Recent state reporting and child-welfare summaries cite thousands of substantiated child-maltreatment cases in recent years and highlight the role of county-level investigators and the Colorado Department of Human Services’ CO4Kids hotline in spotting and responding to possible abuse. Additional background is available in the Colorado Kids Count report and on CO4Kids.
Legal implications
Montano faces two counts of child abuse and two counts of first-degree assault. Under Colorado law, first-degree assault is a serious felony that can bring substantial prison time. Sentencing is governed by Colorado’s assault statute and broader felony sentencing rules and can be increased if the crime is treated as a crime of violence or as an "extraordinary risk" offense, as outlined in the Colorado Revised Statutes and related legal analyses.
Court records did not list an immediate arraignment date in publicly available filings, and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office says the investigation is still ongoing. Authorities ask that anyone with information contact local law enforcement or the state child-abuse hotline.
