Christmas morning in Adams County usually means quiet streets and early-morning gift exchanges. But in 2024, the 7400 block of Pecos Street became the center of a story that most people still can’t quite wrap their heads around. It involves a one-month-old baby, a car seat, and a median.
Jarvis Sims and Christina Thurman were the parents at the center of it all.
They weren't just "in the news." They were the faces of a viral police report that had everyone from local neighbors to national pundits asking: how does this happen? Honestly, the details are even more jarring than the headlines.
The Argument That Changed Everything
It started with a fight. Most parents know the stress of a newborn, but this was different. According to court records and police affidavits, Sims (42) and Thurman (33) began arguing early that morning—around 4:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m., depending on whose timeline you believe.
The subject? Thurman’s intoxication levels.
Imagine the scene. It’s freezing. The sun is barely up. Instead of celebrating their first Christmas with their infant son, the couple is locked in a heated dispute. Thurman reportedly decided to walk away to cool off or head to her mother’s house.
Sims didn't just stay behind. He followed her with the baby.
A witness saw it happen. She watched a man, later identified as Jarvis Sims, walk into the median of the busy road. He put the car seat down. The baby was inside, wearing nothing but a diaper. No blankets. No winter clothes. Just a diaper in the Colorado December cold.
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When the witness yelled at him to come back, Sims reportedly shouted back: "That's her kid, give it to her!"
He then walked away. He went home. He went to sleep because, according to his own statement to deputies, he had to work in a few hours.
The Baby's Condition and the Cocaine Discovery
The witness who found the baby was in a tough spot herself. She had active warrants and was terrified of the police. She took the baby to her apartment first, calling her sister for help. Eventually, the sister called 911, and deputies arrived around 9:20 a.m.
The infant was rushed to the hospital. Doctors said he appeared "healthy" despite the exposure, but then the toxicology report came back.
The baby tested positive for cocaine.
This added a whole new layer of gravity to the case against Jarvis Sims and Christina Thurman. It wasn't just abandonment; it was a systemic failure of care.
Legal Fallout: Why the Charges Changed
Initially, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office recommended felony child abuse charges. People were calling for the book to be thrown at them. However, by the time the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office formally filed the paperwork, the charges looked a bit different.
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The reality of the legal system is often less "dramatic" than the public wants.
Both parents were ultimately charged with:
- Child Abuse Knowingly/Recklessly No Injury (a misdemeanor)
- Reckless Endangerment
Jarvis Sims faced an additional charge for violating a protection order.
Why the downgrade? In Colorado law, if the child isn't "seriously" injured, proving a felony can be a high bar for prosecutors. Since the baby was found quickly and doctors cleared him of physical trauma from the cold, the misdemeanor path was the one the DA took.
Where the Case Stands Now
The court proceedings moved through 2025 with varying results for the pair.
In March 2025, Jarvis Sims pleaded guilty. He received a one-year deferred sentence. Essentially, if he stays out of trouble and meets the court’s conditions, the conviction could eventually be wiped from his record.
Christina Thurman’s path has been slightly different. While Sims was held on bond for a longer period, Thurman was out of custody earlier, though a judge notably called her a "physical and emotional danger" to her son during an early hearing.
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Her family has been vocal, too. Some relatives claimed to local news outlets like Denver7 that Thurman shouldn't have been charged at all, arguing she was trying to get away from a volatile situation and assumed Sims would take the baby back inside. The court, clearly, saw it as a shared responsibility.
The Bigger Picture: Safe Haven Laws
One thing that kept coming up in the wake of the Jarvis Sims and Christina Thurman arrests was Colorado’s Safe Haven law.
Basically, you can drop a baby off at any fire station or hospital—no questions asked—if the baby is 3 days old or younger. This baby was six weeks old. The law wouldn't have protected them from prosecution even if they had gone to a fire station.
It’s a grim reminder that once a child is past that 72-hour window, the legal safety nets change significantly.
Lessons from the Pecos Street Incident
This case is a massive wake-up call regarding the intersection of substance abuse, domestic conflict, and childcare. If you or someone you know is struggling with the demands of a newborn or substance issues, there are routes that don't end in a 911 call on a highway median.
- The Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline is 1-844-CO-4-KIDS. It’s not just for reporting; it’s a resource for parents who feel they are at a breaking point.
- DHS Custody: In cases like this, the Department of Human Services takes immediate legal custody. The baby was placed in a safe environment, and while the public often asks "Can I adopt him?", the priority of the state is usually finding a stable relative first.
- Mental Health Support: Postpartum struggles and domestic volatility are a dangerous mix. Seeking mediation through family services before a "blow-up" happens can save lives.
The story of Jarvis Sims and Christina Thurman is finished in the headlines, but the impact on that child is lifelong. The legal system has done its part with deferred sentences and protective orders. Now, the focus remains on the safety of the infant who, against all odds, survived a Christmas morning nobody should ever have to experience.
For those looking to help, donating to local foster care organizations or "Safe Haven" nonprofits ensures that resources are available for the next family in crisis before things reach a boiling point on a city street.