Denver parents charged after burning baby with scalding hot water

By Sage Kelley June 21, 2024 | updated 2 years ago

Tony Vigil, left, and Jaylyn Vigil were arrested in connection with the death of their two-month-old son, TJ. The baby died from severe burns sustained from a bath, according to investigators. Following inconsistent stories and fractures found on the baby's body, the two were arrested by the Denver Police Department.
Courtesy of the Denver District Attorney's Office

The Denver District Attorney’s Office charged two Denver parents in January after they allegedly killed their 2-month-old son with scalding hot water.

Jaylyn Vigil, 30, and Tony Vigil, 33, were arrested following the death of their son, TJ Vigil, on Dec. 20, after the child sustained severe burns to 40% of his body on Dec. 16, according to arrest records.

The parents brought their son to the Presbyterian Saint Luke’s Hospital around 2 a.m. Dec. 16 with burns. Due to the severity of the damage, the child was transported to the Children’s Hospital Main Campus in Aurora the same evening.

The parents told medical staff that the baby had a messy bowel movement around 1:30 a.m. in their Denver apartment, requiring more than just a diaper change, they told investigators. Tony then gave the baby a bath. As Tony was drying the child, he claimed the baby’s “skin was peeling off from his fingertips and his skin had discoloration,” according to arrest records. Jaylin claimed that the burns may have came from a new shampoo they had used.

Both parents claimed to have checked the bath water with both their hands. Jaylyn said she used a thermometer to make sure the water was suitable for the child. Tony did not mention a thermometer.

Doctors noticed that the damage was not consistent with chemical burns, but may have been caused by hot water. The child suffered a bilateral brain injury and a potential left wrist fracture and rib fracture. He was then incubated.

The hospital staff contacted the Denver Police Department’s Child Abuse Unit and a detective arrived at the hospital that evening. Tony left the hospital saying he had to work, according to investigators.

Detectives obtained a search warrant and entered the home on Dec. 18. During the search, detectives found that the apartment’s hot water heater was set to “HOT B” which, with only two turns, would reach “VERY HOT,” according to the affidavit.

Technicians tested the home’s water and found the following results:

After 0 seconds, the water was 62 degrees Fahrenheit
After 3 seconds, the water was 89 degrees Fahrenheit
After 7 seconds, the water was 106 degrees Fahrenheit
After 11 seconds, the water was 120 degrees Fahrenheit
After 17 seconds, the water was 130 degrees Fahrenheit
After 25 seconds, the water was 141 degrees Fahrenheit
After 35 seconds, the water was 148 degrees Fahrenheit

The duo were brought in for interviews at the Denver Safe Center on Dec. 18.

Detectives viewed texts on Tony’s phone between him and his wife. Jaylyn had messaged Tony and told him to clean up the beer cans and baby bath prior to the warrant. She also asked if the apartment looked suspicious, according to the affidavit.

During a short break, Tony allegedly deleted the texts from his phone. Tony claimed Jaylyn must have deleted them from her side of the conversation.

Tony noted that he had lied about having a job, per Jaylyn’s request. He said “they didn’t want to lose the baby,” according to records.

Jaylyn’s story and timelines were inconsistent, police said. She claimed to have lied about Tony going to work and cleaning the home because she was embarrassed. Neither of the two parents were employed.

The child died due to multi-organ failure and the severity of the burns on Dec. 20.

The two were subsequently arrested. Tony faces charges of first-degree murder and child abuse causing death. A preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 19.

Jaylyn faces charges of tampering with evidence. Her arraignment is set for June 24.

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Tags Burns Chemical Burns Child Abuse Children’s Hospital Main Campus Denver Police Department's Child Abuse Unit Denver Safe Center First-degree Murder Jaylyn Vigil Presbyterian Saint Luke’s Hospital Tj Vigil Tony Vigil

Sage Kelley

Reporter