Lakewood man charged in death of boy with cord around neck

A Lakewood man who was in the apartment where a toddler boy was found dead Monday has been charged with first-degree murder.

KMGH-TV reports that 21-year-old Roman Morales is being held without bond. He has been charged with first-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death.

Police say Morales was friends with the mother of 2-year-old Donny Ro’Mello Romero. Romero was reported missing from his suburban Denver apartment Monday. The toddler was found minutes later in another area of the apartment with a cord wrapped around his neck.

The boy was unconscious and taken to a hospital, where he died.

Morales was one of two men inside the home when the boy was reported missing.