KRDO13 Investigates: Mother takes plea deal in disturbing southern Colorado child welfare case

LAS ANIMAS COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -  A southern Colorado mother pleaded guilty Tuesday to three felony counts of second-degree assault as part of a plea agreement in a case where arrest records and a newly released state review document detail children being duct-taped and forced to run laps as punishment.

During Tuesday’s hearing, a Department of Human Services supervisor testified Sierra Taylor Braunns’ actions “easily could have resulted in death.”

The plea comes as KRDO13 Investigates obtained and reviewed a newly released state review documenting years of prior contact between the family and child welfare agencies in three southern Colorado counties before the criminal case came to light in September 2025.

After the hearing, KRDO13 Investigates asked Braunns if she had anything to say about what happened to her children. Braunns repeatedly responded, “Leave me alone,” before running away.

State review details duct tape, forced exercise and physician's findings

According to the state review, Braunns and Jose Ra Severino Davila were living in Las Animas County with four children, ages 6, 4, 3, and 2, when the criminal case came to light in September 2025.

Caseworkers responded after receiving a report involving video that showed Braunns wrapping duct tape around the mouths and heads of the 6- and 3-year-old boys while asking whether they could still breathe, according to the review.

The review says the two boys reported being forced to run laps and perform exercises as punishment.

One of the boys, the 3-year-old, was observed by a caseworker to be “extremely thin.” The review says he had marks on his neck and face from the duct tape, along with other marks and bruises. He told a caseworker he had not eaten that day and that some of his injuries came from falling while running laps as punishment.

The review says all four children were observed eating and drinking uncontrollably while being evaluated at a local hospital.

A physician with Children’s Hospital Colorado later concluded the incident was egregious and “would align with the medical definition of torture,” according to the review.

Jose Ra Severino Davila, who was also living in the home, was charged separately in connection with the case. Court records show he faced four misdemeanor counts of child abuse and four counts of reckless endangerment. Those charges were dismissed by the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office on July 15, and the case is listed as closed. Court records do not explain why the charges were dismissed.

State review documents years of prior child welfare involvement

The September 2025 criminal case was not the family’s first contact with Colorado’s child welfare system.

According to the state review, three of the four children had previously been removed from their parents’ care during an earlier child welfare case involving concerns about parental substance use.

The children were later returned after the parents completed substance abuse evaluations and treatment, mental health treatment and parenting classes. That case was closed in June 2024, and the family continued to engage with community services.

The review also shows child welfare agencies in Las Animas, Otero and Pueblo counties had previous involvement with the family.

In the three years before the September 2025 criminal case, the state review documents four child welfare referrals, three child welfare assessments and one prior dependency and neglect case involving the family.

The prior contacts included concerns documented just months before the September 2025 criminal case.

According to the review, those concerns included cold showers being used as punishment, child-proof locks on bedroom doors and concerns about conditions inside the home.

Despite those concerns, the review says caseworkers were unable to meet the required current or impending danger threshold under the Colorado Family Safety Assessment.

The review also documents a later referral alleging methamphetamine use in the home while children were present. According to the review, that referral was not accepted for a child welfare assessment.

State review identifies broader systemic concerns

The Child Fatality Review Team did not conclude earlier child welfare decisions caused what later occurred. Instead, the review states it found no direct correlation between its compliance findings and the subsequent egregious incident.

The review identified broader concerns in rural Colorado, including limited availability of child welfare-related services and providers, delays in reports reaching child welfare from community members and mandated reporters. It also recommended expanding multidisciplinary child abuse teams across the state.

KRDO13 Investigates asked the Colorado Department of Human Services about those findings.

CDHS said rural communities often rely on regional partnerships, telehealth services and other collaborative efforts to help address gaps in available services. The department also pointed to a new state law intended to strengthen coordination among child welfare agencies, law enforcement, prosecutors, child advocacy centers and mental health professionals.

Questions remain over plea agreement

Braunns originally faced multiple criminal charges before pleading guilty Tuesday to three felony counts of second-degree assault as part of the plea agreement.

Given testimony that a Department of Human Services supervisor said Braunns’ actions “easily could have resulted in death,” KRDO13 Investigates asked the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office why prosecutors agreed to the plea agreement and what factors were considered in reaching that decision.

As of publication, the district attorney’s office had not responded.

Braunns is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 6.

If you have information you believe the public needs to know, KRDO13 Investigates wants to hear from you. Tips can be submitted by emailing 13Investigates@krdo.com.

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