How Could You? Hall of Shame-Aiden Seeley case-Child Death UPDATEDBittersweet Justice

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Pueblo, Colorado, foster parents Ramondo Jones, 36, and Dacey Spinuzzi, 31,”have been arrested in the death of Aiden Seeley. ”

“The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two people in connection with the September 18 death of a 15-month-old child, who was in foster care at a Pueblo West home.”

“Jones was arrested Monday night on a warrant for first-degree murder of a child by one in a position of trust. He was already in custody at the Pueblo County Jail on an unrelated charge. Spinuzzi was taken into custody early this morning on a warrant for child abuse resulting in death. She has been booked into the Pueblo County Jail.

At the time of his death, Aiden was a foster child in the custody of Spinuzzi. He was placed with Spinuzzi on July 23.

Three other foster children were living with Spinuzzi along with a biological child she had with Jones. The foster children were removed from the home and placed into protective custody.

The biological child was placed with family.On September 16, deputies responded to a home in the …in Pueblo West on a report of an unresponsive child.

The child, identified as Aiden, was taken to a local hospital for treatment. He was later flown to a hospital in Colorado Springs where he died on September 18 [2020]. It was revealed through a medical examination and an autopsy following Aiden’s death that he died from injuries sustained from child abuse.

Through an extensive investigation, sheriff’s detectives determined the injuries occurred while Aiden was in Spinuzzi’s care. Arrest warrants were issued for Spinuzzi and Jones. The couple had been in a relationship. The arrest affidavits have been sealed. No further details on the incident will be released at this time.“This is an unthinkable tragedy that no child should have to ever endure,” said Pueblo County Sheriff Kirk M. Taylor. “The arrests that were made in this heinous, senseless crime are a result of the relentless work by our detectives. I thank them for their meticulous and diligent work in ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.”

Two Arrested in Connection with Child Abuse Death
[Pueblo Sheriff’s Office 9/30/2020]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Update: Dacey Spinuzzi “pleaded guilty Sept. 23 in Colorado’s 10th Judicial Court to a felony count of accessory to a crime that resulted in the death of a 15-month-old foster child in her care last year.”

“Spinuzzi is currently being held in the Pueblo County Detention Center on a $500,000 cash or surety bond. She will be given a new bond for the time preceding her sentencing hearing in January. The bond hearing is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 7.

The young boy who was killed was placed with Spinuzzi on July 23. Three other foster children were living in her home and were placed in protective custody following the child’s death. A biological child Spinuzzi had with Jones was placed with family members.”

“Under the plea agreement, Spinuzzi’s lawyers and prosecutors agreed a 12-year prison sentence would be suitable for her case. She is expected to be sentenced at 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 10, as both sets of lawyers asked if her sentencing could take place after Jones’s trial.”

Pueblo foster parent pleads guilty to charge of accomplice to murder in infant’s death
[The Pueblo Chieftain 9/23/21 by Heather Willard]

“Officials with Pueblo County announced on Monday that they will award the family of Aiden Seeley with a $6 million settlement.

Seeley died as a result of brain bleeding and spinal damage in 2020 while he was in foster care. The boy was just 15 months old. Some of the settlement will be awarded to Seeley’s biological parents, but the majority will be placed into a trust for Seeley’s two siblings to help them overcome the injuries and trauma they suffered while they were in foster care with Seeley.

Both foster parents are facing legal consequences. Dacey Spinuzzi pleaded guilty to accessory charges and will spend 12 years in prison. ”

Pueblo County awards $6 million settlement to family of child who died in foster care
[KKTV 3/29/22 by Jack Heck]

Update 2:“A Pueblo man is, for the second time, standing trial for murder in connection to the death of a foster child.

Ramondo Jones, 38, is accused of killing 15-month-old Aiden Seeley in September 2020. He previously faced trial in October, which ended in a mistrial.

Seeley had been placed in the Pueblo West home of Dacey Spinuzzi, Jones’ girlfriend at the time. At the time of the child’s placement, Jones had a no-bond warrant for assault, which included domestic violence, and a second no-bond warrant for criminal mischief and menacing.

A medical examination and an autopsy following the child’s death determined that he died from injuries sustained from child abuse. Through an extensive investigation, sheriff’s detectives concluded the injuries occurred while Seeley was in Spinuzzi’s care.

Spinuzzi pleaded guilty on Sept. 23, 2021 to accessory to a crime resulting in the death of the child in her care, a Class 4 felony, in a plea deal with the 10th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. In exchange for her plea, a child abuse charge was dismissed. Spinuzzi said in court she lied to the Pueblo Police Department to protect Jones, despite knowing he had seriously hurt the toddler.

Spinuzzi’s sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 17, after the end of Jones’ trial. Other foster children were removed from Spinuzzi’s care following Seeley’s death and were placed in protective custody. Spinuzzi’s biological child was placed in the care of relatives.

In opening statements Friday, prosecutors described the graphic injuries sustained by Seeley, which they said literally covered the toddler from head to toe.

According to the prosecution, on the day of the child’s death, Jones picked up Seeley by the ankles and dangled him upside down, screaming expletives at the child and telling him to “just shut up.” The prosecution stated that was the last time Spinuzzi saw her foster child conscious. The next time she saw Seeley, he was unconscious on the ottoman with Jones sitting next to him.

Jones, according to the prosecution, allegedly claimed he had “just tossed him down in the playroom,” then told Spinuzzi she had “better fix it.” Prosecutors allege he then left before firefighters arrived.

Seeley was severely injured, including bleeding under his scalp, brain injuries, a fractured skull and other fractures, and many others, which the prosecution claimed were inconsistent with any accidental explanation and could only be the result of child abuse.

While Seeley was under Jones’ care, prosecutors allege he sustained a series of injuries, none of which were present prior to his placement in Spinuzzi’s home.

On Aug. 12, 2020, more than a month before Seeley’s death, he was left in Jones’ care and sustained bruising to the chin, a swollen lip, and marks around his neck. Jones explained to Spinuzzi, who was at work, that the child had fallen out of a swing at Spinuzzi’s mother’s house. Prosecutors said that explanation was not consistent with Seeley’s injuries.”
Second trial begins for Pueblo man accused of killing foster child
[The Pueblo Chieftain 2/3/23 by Justin Reutter]

“A Pueblo man was found guilty of first-degree murder Tuesday in the 2020 death of a 15-month-old foster child.

Ramondo Jones, 38, was convicted in the death of Aiden Seeley, who at the time of his death was under the care of Jones’ then-girlfriend Dacey Spinuzzi and living in her home.

Jones was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.”

Ramondo Jones found guilty of first-degree murder in 2020 death of Pueblo foster child
[The Pueblo Chieftain 2/21/23 by Justin Reutter]