Abuse Angels
Commited to the end of child abuse. . .
Chad Munoz
Before Chad Munoz was even born, his parents were causing him harm. His father, Juan Munoz, grabbed his mother, Charley Mercado, and caused her and by extension Chad to fall into a door. Chad was born January 11, 2008 and had alcohol in his system. His mom had been drinking. Four days after Chad was born the physical abuse allegation against Juan Munoz was brought to the attention of Larimer County social workers. The referral was originally assigned but later “unassigned” because no child abuse or neglect allegation had been made. Two weeks later, on Febuary1st, Chad was dead. He had been beaten in the face and severely shaken.
Caseworkers failed to run a background check on Munoz who had three prior arrests for assault. In 2002, he was arrested for domestic violence. Two years later, he was arrested for ethnic intimidation, assault and menacing. On February 6, 2006, Munoz attacked his girlfriend, Crystal Benavidez, with a bat after she invited Munoz’s brother for drinks. Jealous of his brother, Munoz swung the bat into her knee. She crashed to the floor. He then swung the weapon into the left side of her head, opening a bloody wound. He pummeled her in the face with his fists. He was convicted and served a jail and probation sentence.Two complaints of abuse against another child in 2007 were determined to be unfounded by Larimer County social workers.
After Chad’s death, Juan Munoz was charged with child abuse causing death and pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of reckless manslaughter. He was sentenced to nine years in prison.
Age: 21 Days
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
Suspect in death: Juan Munoz, Father
Jan 11, 2008 - Feb 1, 2008
