9-year-old in Grand Junction was poisoned, says coroner, suspect arrested for murder

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. -- The Grand Junction Police Department have arrested a man on murder charges for the death of a nine-year-old girl last month.

Police initially were investigating the tragic incident as an "unattended death" when we first reported on this story in November.

But now, the Mesa County Coroner's office has determined that the girl was poisoned, according to a release obtained by KJCT Monday. It is not clear what type of poison was used.

Police have arrested 34-year-old Jeffrey Beagley of Grand Junction on multiple felony charges, according to a GJPD report Saturday.

Beagley faces the following charges:

• Murder in the 1st Degree (F1)
• Child Abuse Resulting in Death (F2)
• Reckless Manslaughter (F4)
• Attempted Sex Assault on a Child by One in a Position of Trust (F4)
• Sexual Exploitation of Children (F4)
• Invasion of Privacy for Sexual Gratification (F6)

"Our hearts go out to all those who continue to grieve the loss of their loved one," the police department said in the statement.