A Colorado appeals court has reinstated murder and child abuse charges against William Jacobs in the 2023 death of 10-month-old Edward Hayes at a Cañon City Motel 6.
The court ruled last week that comments by former district attorney Linda Stanley did not amount to outrageous government conduct warranting dismissal of the case. Stanley had told a media outlet in August 2023 that Jacobs was watching the infant so he could have sex with the child's mother and have a place to stay. Charges against Jacobs, who was 21 at the time, were originally filed in Fremont County after his arrest in May 2023 but were dropped in 2024 by a district court judge over ethical concerns with Stanley's statements. Stanley was later disbarred and removed from office in November 2024 for separate ethical violations. Court documents indicate Jacobs admitted to biting the baby and hitting his head during an interview with police. Jacobs is expected to be rearrested in the coming days.