Denver police identify 3-year-old boy believed to have died from physical abuse

The Denver Office of the Medical Examiner has identified the 3-year-old boy found dead inside a Denver apartment Tuesday.

According to KDVR in Denver, Jeromiah Gurule was pronounced dead at the scene. The Denver Police Department said they arrived at the apartment around 4 p.m. Tuesday after a report of the child not breathing. First responders tried reviving the child but were unsuccessful.

After further investigation from both detectives with the DPD Homicide Unit and a Medical Examiner, authorities learned the child died as a result of physical abuse.

John Affourtit, 33, is currently being investigated for murder in the first degree of a child under 12 years old in a position of trust.

Affourtit was arrested Wednesday night. He is allegedly the boyfriend of the victim’s mother and lived in the same apartment complex as the child.

According to KDVR, the toddler had just turned 3-years-old on Sept. 21, 2018.