COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A 28-year-old man was arrested in Colorado Springs Tuesday for the death of his girlfriend’s 3-year-old daughter, Bella Ritch.
David Lake is facing charges of first-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death.
He was taken into custody without incident following a lengthy investigation into the child’s death, which occurred last year.
According to a release from the Colorado Springs Police Department, emergency responders were called to a home October 2, 2017, and found Bella unresponsive and suffering from severe injuries.
She was taken to a local hospital where she was later pronounced dead.
The El Paso County Coroner’s Office conducted an autopsy and ruled her death was a homicide. The report was finalized this past January.
Police accuse Lake of causing Bella’s death, although they have not released details into the nature of her injuries.
Police say Lake was involved in a relationship with Bella’s mother, but It’s not clear if the mother was present during the alleged incident.
No charges against the mother were announced.
Detectives obtained a warrant for Lake’s arrest moments before he was taken into custody.
Anyone with information or is a witness to this investigation is asked to call the Colorado Springs Police Department at (719) 444-7000.