Mesa County Sheriff s Office Sheriff Stan Hilkey HEATHER S. BENJAMIN Information & Communication Manager/PIO Direct Phone: (970) 244-3929 Cell Phone: (970) 986-0950 Heather.Benjamin@mesacounty.us May 9, 2011 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WOMAN ARRESTED FOR CHILD ABUSE No bond warrant Mesa County, Colorado This afternoon investigators arrested Dianeth Pittman, 39, of Clifton and are booking her into the Mesa County Detention Facility on two charges of Child Abuse Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. These charges are both class 3 Felonies with no bond. The warrant and a booking photo of Pittman are attached to this release. The Sheriff s Office has made every effort to protect the identity of the victim in this case and asks the media to respect that, and through reporting this arrest to be sensitive to the child. In my 24 years in law enforcement, Sgt. Henry Stoffel, Complex Crimes Unit said. I ve never seen this (severe) abuse of a child. To report child abuse in Mesa County, call the Child Protection Hotline at (970) 242-1211. And for more information visit: http://humanservices.mesacounty.us/fcs/template.aspx?id=2089, a webpage of the Mesa County Department of Human Services website. ### 215 Rice Street Grand Junction Colorado 81501 http://sheriff.mesacounty.us/
DISTRICT / COUNTY COURT, MESA COUNTY, STATE OF COLORADO ACTION NUMBER 11CR483 Mesa County (Colorado) Sheriff s Department Incident 11-00010973 ARREST WARRANT THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO, TO: ANY PEACE OFFICER IN THE STATE OF COLORADO, INTO WHOSE HANDS THIS WARRANT SHALL COME, GREETINGS: WHEREAS, Investigator Peter Burg, a peace officer, has made Application and Affidavit for the issuance of an Arrest Warrant; and, WHEREAS, the Application appears proper, and this Court is satisfied that there is probable cause to believe that the person named in the Application has committed the offenses of: 1. CHILD ABUSE WITH SERIOUS BODILY INJURY (two counts) In violation of 18-6-401(7)(a)(III) CRS, a class 3 Felony as amended. YOU ARE THEREFORE COMMANDED TO ARREST PITTMAN, DIANETH DOB 03/14/72 W/F / 5 04 / 200# / BROWN Hair / HAZEL Eyes SOC and bring them without unnecessary delay before the nearest available Judge of the County or District Court. It is therefore ordered that Bond is set in the amount of $. DONE this day of, 2011. BY THE COURT Return of Service JUDGE I certify I arrested this person on at, County, State of. Officer
DISTRICT / COUNTY COURT, MESA COUNTY, STATE OF COLORADO ACTION NUMBER 11CR483 Mesa County (Colorado) Sheriff s Department Incident 11-00010973 AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT OF ARREST WARRANT IN THE MATTER OF: The People of The State of Colorado V. PITTMAN, DIANETH DOB 03/14/72 and in support of the Application for Arrest Warrant, Investigator Peter Burg, hereinafter referred to as Affiant, presents the following Affidavit in support of Arrest Warrant and asserts the following: 1. That the Affiant is of lawful age and is a duly sworn law enforcement officer currently employed by the Mesa County Sheriff s Department and was so at all times relevant to the facts contained herein. All of the information herein contained was compiled by the Affiant in the course of a criminal investigation, including reviewing official reports and documents, speaking with fellow law enforcement officers, and interviews with named citizens. All locations referred to are in the County of Mesa, State of Colorado, unless specifically noted otherwise. 2. On 05/03/11, received a report from due to previous suspicious injuries to reported she had been babysitting a four year old on Sunday (05/01/11) and the four year old apparently hit with a toy, causing the black eye. On 05/03/11, noted the eye was swollen shut with facial bruising and took custody of was taken to Pediatric Dr.. 3. On 05/04/11, I (Inv. Burg) interviewed She reported the injury was caused by Nevaeh, a four year old being babysat by. She said Nevaeh wanted doll and hit in the eye with a Barbie dollhouse accessory, barbeque pit. was asked about several other injuries to her body such as bruises and said she did not know where they were from. 4. On 05/04/11, I drove to Clifton, Mesa County, CO. this is the home of Dianeth. I met with Dianeth and asked her to explain what happened to to cause the injuries to her face and head. Dianeth stated she had been babysitting 4 year old Neveah and heard Neveah and arguing in bedroom. She then heard telling Nevaeh to stop and saying that hurts. When Dianeth entered the room she saw holding her eye. The next day the eye was black and swollen. Dianeth purchased Bruise healing cream and applied it to Affidavit for Arrest Warrant Page 1
People v. PITTMAN, DIANETH MCSO Case 11-00010973 5. Dianeth said the item used by Neveah to assault was a barbeque pit for a Barbie house. She said the barbeque pit had been in bedroom. She described the barbeque pit as being wooden and about 8 12 inches in size. She said had later thrown the pit in the dumpster outside the home. I noted some of the smaller details of the stories given by and Dianeth did not match. I searched the dumpster, which had not been emptied since 04/29 but did not find the barbeque pit. 6. On 05/05/11, Dianeth agreed to an interview at the Mesa County Sheriff s Office. Ultimately Dianeth said she and not Nevaeh had caused the injuries to She was shown a photo of face area and agreed the swelling and bruising were caused by Dianeth. She said this was the first occasion she had injured but was afraid if she told us of this incident, she would be blamed for the past injuries. 7. Dianeth explained she had been arguing on the telephone with her husband, who does not live in the home. She was angry and as ran through the kitchen she, out of anger, tripped fell forward and hit her face / head area on the corner of the counter. She said this was on 05/01/11 at about 1930 hours, just after Neveah left the home. She said she did not seek medical treatment for because she thought it was just a black eye. When shown pictures of other bruises and injuries to Dianeth denied knowing of or how most of those injuries occurred. She did, several times admit the current injury to face including the black eyes were caused by Dianeth. She said she tripped out of anger and had previously warned her to be quiet. She said she did not cause the injuries intentionally, but did trip intentionally and out of anger. 8. On 05/06/11, I learned had spoken to her about her injuries. indicated tripped her, slammed her to the floor, jerked her up by the arms and slammed her face against the wall multiple times. said had warned her that if she told anyone she would get hurt worse. She also reported she had been hurt by in the past. 9. On 05/09/11, I interviewed for a second time. She admitted she had not been truthful during the first interview and attributed this to (Dianeth) threatening to hurt her worse if she told anyone the truth. She also showed what appeared to be a burn scar on her abdomen. She explained the scar was intentionally caused by Dianeth and she was told if she ever told anyone, she would be burned or branded again. 10. talked about the injuries to her face and head. She said Neveah had hit her with a toy, so this was not actually a lie. She had failed to tell that the next day (Dianeth) entered room and was angry. Dianeth threw to the floor, causing her strike her face and front on the floor. As she lay on the floor, Dianeth picked her up forcefully by her arms from the back and shoved into the wall. Affidavit for Arrest Warrant Page 2
People v. PITTMAN, DIANETH MCSO Case 11-00010973 11. talked about the scar to her abdomen. She said this injury occurred before the incident injuring her face and head. The burning incident occurred at the same home on Dianeth heated a knife and called over. Dianeth then placed the knife on skin and branded said then told her that if she did not behave or told anyone she would be burned again. When asked if she was ever burned again, said she was one more time but it was over the same burn mark so did not make another scar. During this interview, seemed much more relaxed. She indicated she to Dianeth. 12. On 05/05/11, I met with Pediatric Doctor at his office. Dr. signed a Serious Bodily Injury form, indicating the injuries to head and face did fit the statutory definition of serious bodily injury. He specifically marked both Substantial risk of death and Substantial risk of permanent disfigurement. 13. Upon reviewing photographs I had taken of on 05/04/11, Dr. indicated the most severe injury is not visible in the photographs. The photographs show a large amount of swelling and bruising around face, but the most severe injury was found on the top of her head more on the left side. This injury is covered by hair. He explained there was at least. He showed me a and I could easily see a large amount of swelling between her skull and the skin on the top and toward the left side of her head. 14. Dr. indicated it appeared had received Blunt Force Trauma to the top of her head and possibly to the left side of her face or head. He believed it was possible the black eye area of the right eye may be a residual effect of the trauma to the left side of her face and the top of her head. He had also noted to the top of her head. I explained that I had been told a 4 year old hit with a toy, causing this injury. Dr. said he did not believe this could be or was caused by a 4 year old with a toy. He had requested lab work to ascertain if she had any condition that would cause her to injure or bruise easily and none was found. 15. On 05/09/11, I met with Mesa County Coroner, Dr. Havlick. He was shown photographs of the burn scar to abdomen. Dr. Havlick signed a Serious Bodily Injury form, indicating the injuries to abdomen did fit the statutory definition of serious bodily injury. He specifically stated the injury would fit the category of a Second of third degree burn and Substantial risk of permanent disfigurement. 16. I have attached three photographs to the affidavit. One shows face from the front as it appeared on 05/03/11. One shows face from the side as it appeared on 05/04/11. One shows the burn scar to abdomen as it appeared on 05/09/11. Dr. Havlick and Dr. had concluded these injuries fit the definition of Serious Bodily Injury. Affidavit for Arrest Warrant Page 3
People v. PITTMAN, DIANETH MCSO Case 11-00010973 17. School records show began living at the apartment address on about 12/06/10. She stated both incidents occurred at this apartment. and Mesa County Sheriff s records show several referrals and suspicious marks type reports beginning on about 11/24/10. The 11/24/10 referral indicates Dianeth and had been living at a homeless shelter but left shortly after that date. During these incidents did not disclose the injuries or marks being caused by. It was not until was away from Dianeth that she reported any abuse from Dianeth. According to Dianeth threatened to cause even greater harm if told the truth about the abuse. 18. The investigation shows that Dianeth Pittman (DOB 03/14/72) knowingly caused serious bodily injury to, on two occasions. The first incident (abdominal branding with a heated knife) occurred in the apartment, so between the dates of 12/06/10 and 05/01/11. The second incident (severe swelling and bruising of the head / face by throwing to the floor and wall) occurred on or about 05/01/11. 19. That the Defendant is identified based upon Mesa County Sheriff s Department records as follows: PITTMAN, DIANETH: DOB 03/14/72 WHITE/FEMALE 5 04 tall 200 pounds BROWN hair HAZEL eyes SOC 20. That the Victims are identified based upon Mesa County Sheriff s Department records as follows: WHITE/FEMALE YEARS OF AGE Affidavit for Arrest Warrant Page 4
People v. PITTMAN, DIANETH MCSO Case 11-00010973 21. That based upon the above information, the Affiant has probable cause to believe the following: That the Defendant, on or between 07/28/10 and 08/29/10 in Mesa County, Colorado, Committed the offense of CHILD ABUSE WITH SERIOUS BODILY INJURY (two counts) In violation of 18-6-401(7)(a)(III) Colorado Revised Statutes, a class 3 Felony as amended. 22. That your Affiant respectfully requests the issuance of a warrant for the arrest of DIANETH PITTMAN, for the above-named offenses. Investigator Peter Burg Mesa County Sheriff s Office 215 Rice Street Grand Junction, CO 81505 The foregoing Attachment was subscribed and sworn to or affirmed before me on this 09th day of May 2011, by Inv. Peter Burg. My commission expires. Notary Public Affidavit for Arrest Warrant Page 5