Baby sitter held in child's 2006 death

The baby sitter of a toddler who died in 2006 shortly after being picked up by his parents was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of child abuse involving death.

Melvin Tipton, 35, is suspected of causing a head injury that killed 21-month-old Charles Hickerson III on Feb. 1, 2006. Lt. David Whitlock, Colorado Springs Police Department spokesman, would not elaborate on the nature of Hickerson's injuries.

Police said Hickerson "was left in good health" with Tipton at his Colorado Springs home. When Hickerson's mother, Lucille Hickerson, picked her son up she noticed bruising on his head. The toddler then became unresponsive and stopped breathing. His mother took him to Penrose Community Hospital and he was transported to Denver Children's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

"It just takes awhile to review all the information in the case," Whitlock said of the time lapse between the death and the arrest. "The case packet itself was given to several agencies that deal with these types of cases."

The toddler's 2006 obituary describes Charles Hickerson III as having "the heart and soul of a giant and a smile that would melt your heart."