Neighbors talk of warning signs before 4-year-old's death

KUSA - As homicide detectives worked at a Broomfield home, neighbors talked of warning signs that came before a four-year-old boy was killed by a member of his own family.

Emanuel Joseph Doll, 25, appeared in Broomfield County court Friday morning where he was advised of possible charges that could include felony homicide.

On Friday afternoon, neighbors brought balloons, stuffed animals and flowers to the edge of the crime scene at the corner of 136th Avenue and Raleigh Street in Broomfield.

“It’s kind of sad to know these things can happen,” Maria Vega said.

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Vega brought along her two kids to drop off flowers beside the crime scene tape and offered prayers for the family of the four-year-old boy.

“I know sooner or later God is going to give them peace in their hearts,” she said.

Just after 9:30 a.m. Thursday, police received a 911 hang-up call followed by a call for emergency medical help at the home. Officers found the four-year-old who had suffered “a massive amount of trauma.” The boy was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Everybody around here is upset about how this happened in our neighborhood and how somebody could do something like this to a four-year-old, young child,” Jim Egli said.

Egli lives across the street from the home where police arrested Emanuel Joseph Doll. Egli said he’d seen police at the home several times before.

“We knew it wasn’t right over there, but we didn’t know exactly what was going on,” Egli said. “We should have dug deeper and got this boy some help.”

Neighbor Kathleen Gerry said she’d known the Doll family for years and often saw them in church.

“Emanuel, growing up was a great kid,” Gerry said. “And this blindsided me.”

Gerry said she was heartbroken though not entirely surprised that “that something happened.”

“I know people in their family have had some issues – mental issues,” Gerry said. “I just wish people with issues could get the help they need.”

Police have not detailed the relationship between Emanuel Doll and the four-year-old victim.

Doll is due in Broomfield County court again next Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.