Colorado Springs mother faces 1st-degree murder for 5-year old’s death, father calls for life sentence

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A Colorado Springs woman accused of killing her 5-year-old daughter appeared in court for the first time.

Brianne Escamilla, 27, and her boyfriend, 26-year-old Matthew Urias, are charged with Murder in the 1st Degree for the death of Emily Canales. They were both also charged with two counts of child abuse.

According to police, Urias was taken into custody on June 29. With help from the U.S. Marshalls Service and the Littleton Police Department, Escamilla was taken into custody on July 5 in Littleton.

At Escamilla's first court appearance on Wednesday, prosecutors said Urias and Escamilla will be tried together during a preliminary hearing scheduled for September 15.

However, it's unclear if the co-defendants will be tried together moving past that court appearance.

On January 13, officers with the Colorado Springs Police Department responded to an "urgent request for assistance." Firefighters were attempting life-saving measures on a young girl, later identified as Emily Canales.

According to police, Emily succumbed to her injuries at a hospital. Months later following an autopsy, the El Paso County Coroner's Office ruled her death a homicide. The cause was listed as "multiple blunt force injuries."

During the initial January call, Colorado Springs firefighters and police noticed substantial bruising along the 5-year-old's rib cage, forehead, and various bruises throughout her body. It was also noted that Emily's hair was shaved and resembled a buzz cut.

Following Esamila's first court appearance, 13 Investigates spoke with Emily's father, Manuel Canales.

"Who would think of something like that," Canales told 13 Investigates when asked if he suspected abuse from Escamilla or her boyfriend Urias. "I never once imagined something like that."

Canales says he broke up with Escamilla in the summer of 2018. Since then, he said it's been a struggle to see his daughter. The 45-year-old father says he would pay Escamilla to see his daughter, hired an attorney to obtain greater visitation rights, and says he contacted the Colorado Department of Human Services.

After his daughter's death in January, Canales says he never got an explanation from his ex.

"I don't want them to take any plea deal," Canales said. "I want them to get a complete life sentence. I want the people from Colorado to not let the prosecutors give a plea, or let them tell on each other. They need to be equally charged."

Canales tells 13 Investigates that Emily had a sibling living in the home along with Urias and their mother. When we asked the El Paso County Department of Human Services if there was a sibling and if he or she is safe, EPCDHS said they cannot comment on specific cases due to state law. 13 Investigates also reached out to CSPD to see if another sibling is being cared for. We are waiting for an official response.

Canales says Emily's remains were transferred to El Paso, Texas where he currently lives. Emily's father started a GoFundMe to raise funds for Emily's funeral and gravestone.

Emily's father admits to 13 Investigates he has been struggling since her death in January, even checking himself into a treatment center to deal with his grief.

"She was so smart, she was so playful and she loved everybody," Canales said. "Her mother didn't deserve her."

Following Escamilla's hearing on Wednesday, 13 Investigates asked her defense team for a comment. They had no comment at this time.