Colorado Senate president calls for accountability in murder case of Pueblo foster care toddler

PUEBLO WEST, Colo. (KRDO) -- Colorado Senate President Leroy Garcia is calling for more accountability and oversight after authorities arrested a couple for the murder of a Pueblo West toddler who was in foster care.

Ramondo Jones and Dacey Spinuzzi remain in Pueblo County jail on charges connected to 15-month-old Aiden Seeley's death, which police say is a result of child abuse.

"The case as I understand it and as it's being presented we know that this child probably should have not been in that home," Sen. Garcia said.

Garcia's calls come after KRDO found disturbing court records that raise questions about how and why the Pueblo County Department of Human Services allowed the 15-month-old and three other foster children in Spinuzzi's home.

According to a protection order obtained by KRDO, Jones should have never been at the home where the foster mother lived with four foster children and the couple's biological son.

Court records show Jones, who has been in a relationship with Spinuzzi for at least four years, has a violent history.

An arrest affidavit from Pueblo County Sheriff's Office accused Jones of threatening to kill the foster mother and beating her as recently as November 2019.

Jones was arrested on domestic violence and other related charges in 2019 after police said he destroyed the couple's home on West Coral Drive. The court issued an immediate protective order, which still remains active.

The order was supposed to force Jones to move out of the home and prevented him from contacting Spinuzzi.

It's unclear if Pueblo County DHS was aware of the violent history but the sheriff's office said earlier this week that the toddler was placed in Spinuzzi's care nine months after the protection was issued by a Pueblo County judge.

"We all share in the concern," Garcia said. "My office is working overtime to look into all of the facts and details."

The state Senate president said while his office doesn't have jurisdiction over Pueblo County DHS, they are working with Pueblo leaders to better understand why DHS placed Seeley in the home with a documented history of violence.

"We need greater accountability and greater mechanisms for oversight," Garcia said.

Garcia said his office has not determined if the case will prompt possible legislative action in the next session but added that if the problem requires a legislative solution, he is prepared to present a bill addressing the issues in January.

"We never rule out the need for improvement. Sometimes that might require legislation. Sometimes that requires different kinds of rule changes or administrative changes," Garcia explained.

However, Garcia did say his office is looking at funding concerns related to DHS staff pay and overall budgets.

"Our first and foremost responsibility is to ensure that people out there have the resources they need to be able to do their job. We all know these are difficult times but this is a top priority in ensuring that kids are in a safe environment," Garcia said.

Garcia said he is heartbroken for the community and the toddler's biological family.

"As someone who is a father, as someone who was born and raised in this community, we need to come together. I need to, and we need to work to ensure that we get answers to the questions that we're asking and ensure that we better understand the system and where there are gaps and where there are challenges and fix them, "Garcia said.

Pueblo County DHS said on Thursday it requires two face-to-face visits a month with foster parents and children.

A county spokesperson declined an interview and sent us a statement Thursday afternoon.

"Pueblo County is deeply saddened by the tragic death of a child who was in foster care. The death of this young child impacts our community in many ways and reminds us all of the vulnerability of our youngest citizens.  As with any tragic incident, we are taking this matter very seriously within our organization and with our state and local partners. We are working closely with all law enforcement and government agencies involved in the investigation and prosecution of this case. Due to the ongoing investigation, we are not able to make any further comment regarding this case."