COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- The city's homicide numbers continue to rise, as another baby is declared dead this time due to blunt force trauma to the head and abdomen.
According to Colorado Springs police, this case is the 7th for the year in child abuse deaths, the most we've ever had.
Roderick Elam Jr. is the latest parent charged with Child Abuse Resulting in Death Wednesday, after his 2-month old daughter Harmone'e Elam was pronounced dead on December 15th.
Colorado Springs police officers were called to a house on the 4000 block of Westmeadow Drive after a call to 9-1-1 because his daughter was not breathing.
"People automatically think that the reason why people are hurting their kids is because they're monsters, horrible parents. These are just normal people, who are just getting to that breaking point," Jennifer Lendsey, a family advocate with Family Connections said.
The increasing number of baby deaths is a horrible trend and one that the 4th Judicial District Attorney Dan May said involves a number of military families, who are under unusual amounts of stress.
So, with another death reported that could have been prevented FOX21 wanted to let people know there is help if you need to take a little break.
It's called Family Connections, a local non-profit that offers respite care and crisis prevention services all for free.
"A lot of people are not being honest with themselves about how they feel, whether it's the child, the job, or what's going on with the economy," Lendsey said.
And if you hit a level of ultimate frustration it's okay to take a breather or a break, anything to keep you from doing something you might regret.
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