Soldier implicated in daughter’s death re-arrested

A Fort Carson soldier accused of child abuse resulting in the death of his daughter has been re-arrested for going AWOL from Fort Carson.

Roderick Elam Jr. was originally arrested on December 22, 2011 for his role in the death of his 2-month-old daughter. Elam was employed by the US Army and was released to Fort Carson and remanded to the post pending the court case. Elam was scheduled to start his criminal trial in September 2012 for these charges.

On Tuesday it was discovered that Elam had been AWOL from Fort Carson since June. The District Attorney’s Office requested a no bond warrant for Elam for failing to comply with orders.

On Wednesday investigators discovered that Elam had recently purchased a vehicle. They were able to obtain the make and model of the vehicle from security officers at Fort Carson’s gate. Authorities were able to take Elam into custody on a no bond court warrant.