Orozco-Charlo admits to negligent homicide in child's death
JEFF SMITH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 months, 1 week AGO
Jeff Smith is news director for Anderson Broadcasting and a contributor to the Lake County Leader. | August 13, 2026 12:00 AM
A Polson man admitted to charges relating to the death of a child in 2021.
Estevan Orozco-Charlo, 29, entered a plea of guilty in Polson District Court July 23 to felony negligent homicide. The plea was entered as part of an agreement that comes with a joint recommendation of 10 years in the Montana State Prison with five years suspended.
It also recommends Orozco-Charlo undergo a chemical dependency evaluation and enroll in and complete parenting, CPR and first-aid training.
According to court records, on Sept. 30, 2021, Orozco-Charlo was babysitting a 14-month-old girl. While in his care, the child suffered physical trauma that resulted in her death.
Witnesses say that Orozco-Charlo was drinking heavily on Sept. 29, 2021, and into the morning hours of Sept. 30. One witness said that Orozco-Charlo stopped by their house at about 4:15 a.m. Sept. 30 and appeared “sloppy drunk.”
Orozco-Charlo said the child was sleeping on his chest later that afternoon when he fell asleep. That was about 2 p.m. He said when he woke at about 2:15 p.m., he rolled onto his chest and on top of the child, who was under him, and “stuffed” her between the cushion and back of the couch.
The child was unresponsive. Orozco-Charlo said he attempted to elicit a response from the child by saying her name and shaking the child, admitting he may have gotten “a little rough.”
At 2:52 p.m. he went to the neighbors' house saying the child was breathing “weird.” The neighbors came to where the child was and immediately called 911.
Ambulance crews arrived at 3:03 p.m. and transported the child to Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson, a very short distance from the apartment complex where the child was staying. The child was later airlifted to Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital in Spokane.
The decision was made to terminate life support for the child at 12:04 a.m. Oct. 2, 2021. The child was declared dead at 12:38 a.m.
Visiting Judge Kaydee N. Snipes-Ruiz of the 12th Judicial District set sentencing for Sept. 11. Orozco-Charlo remains at liberty.
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