Denver Dad Arrested As Suspect In Attempted Murder Of Son: Police

DENVER, CO — One week after a father and his five-year-old son were rescued from a fenced-in drainage culvert in southeast Denver, police have arrested the father on suspicion of attempted murder.

In addition to attempted murder, Michael Ninomiya, 42, is under investigation for multiple felonies, including attempting to commit knowing or reckless child abuse to cause death, according to the heavily-redacted arrest affidavit.

According to the affidavit, Ninomiya was hiking with his son along the Cherry Creek Trail when he called 911 for help at 4:15 p.m. on Jan. 12. Though he could not provide an exact location, firefighters were eventually able to find and rescue Ninomiya and his son in a fenced-off drainage culvert along the High Line Canal.

According to the affidavit, the son was taken to Children's Hospital in critical condition, while Ninomiya was taken to Swedish Medical with a laceration on his forehead. As of Tuesday, the boy was still in critical condition, with fluctuating brain pressure preventing doctors from performing an MRI.

The child's mother told police that her son "often enjoyed going on adventures or hikes," but around 4 p.m. she "started to get worried because it was getting dark," adding that Ninomiya had never brought their son home that late before, according to the affidavit.

She told police that she "had no concerns" when Ninomiya left with their son, but she "would never have let him leave if she had thought he would hurt" her son.

She also told police that she and Ninomiya have been together for nine years and have been married for eight.

Police interviewed Ninomiya at Swedish Medical on Jan. 12 and later collected his phone and clothing as evidence, according to the affidavit.

Officers met Ninomiya at his residence on Jan. 14 where he was read his Miranda Rights, waived his right to have an attorney present and proceeded to give a statement — which is fully redacted in the affidavit — to police.

The investigation is ongoing and the Denver District Attorney will make a final decision regarding whether Ninomiya will be charged, and if so, with what.