GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The case of Ashlee Davis, an early childhood worker facing misdemeanor child abuse charges, has ignited an emotional response in Mesa County, culminating in a public demonstration outside the courthouse on the day of her first court appearance.

On April 25, Davis appeared at the Mesa County Justice Center for a status conference. While the legal proceedings were brief—resulting in a continuance until June 5 at 9:00 A.M.—the social and emotional consequences continued to ripple far beyond the courtroom walls.

“Our Hearts Fell Into Our Stomachs”

Davis, an employee of Centro de la Familia, was arrested earlier this month following a disturbing incident involving 18-month-old Adrian, the son of Paola Coronado. Davis is facing a Class 2 misdemeanor charge for child abuse knowingly or unknowingly without injury, stemming from actions caught on video and widely circulated in the community.

Though details of the video have not been released publicly by law enforcement, its impact has been profound.

“I have four children of my own, and I think any parent would say that when they saw that video, their heart fell into their butt,” said Taylor Triesch, one of nearly a dozen supporters who rallied outside the courthouse in support of Adrian and Coronado. “There’s no way people should be treating our children like this.”

The rally remained peaceful, but emotionally charged. Supporters held signs reading “Protect Our Kids” and “Justice for Adrian,” while some wore t-shirts bearing Adrian’s name.

A Quiet Exit Through the Back Door

Davis, who remains out of custody pending further proceedings, did not face the demonstrators directly. She was escorted out of the Justice Center via a rear exit, avoiding direct contact with the crowd gathered in front.

That decision was met with frustration from some in attendance, who had hoped to express their concerns directly.

“We showed up because we wanted to be seen,” said one demonstrator, who declined to give her name. “But she didn’t face us. She didn’t have to look at the people who are hurt by this.”

Legal Landscape and Next Steps

Davis is currently charged under Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-6-401, which outlines penalties for child abuse ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on the intent and severity of the alleged act.

• Class 2 misdemeanor child abuse, as charged in this case, applies to situations where a person knowingly or recklessly causes harm without visible injury or places a child in danger.

• The maximum penalty could include up to 120 days in jail, a fine, and mandated parenting or counseling classes, depending on the court’s decision.

Two other Centro de la Familia employees—Bocconcelli and Bertroch—are also scheduled to appear in court on May 12 at 9:30 A.M. Their roles in the incident are still under investigation.

Mesa County prosecutors have not yet announced whether additional or upgraded charges will be pursued as evidence continues to emerge.

A Tipping Point for Parents?

For many in Grand Junction, the Davis case has tapped into broader anxieties about childcare oversight, trust in early education providers, and how child abuse cases are handled when injuries are not outwardly visible.

Several parents at the rally said they had previously enrolled children in Centro de la Familia, a nonprofit early childhood education provider with locations across Colorado.

“It makes you question everything,” said Angela Navarro, a single mother who said she pulled her child from daycare last week. “How do we know our kids are safe? How do we know this won’t happen again?”

A petition calling for stricter licensing enforcement and mandatory surveillance footage policies at childcare centers in Mesa County has already gained hundreds of signatures since the Davis video first circulated.

Community Demands and Emotional Fallout

While Davis’s charge is legally classified as a misdemeanor, parents and supporters say the emotional trauma of the incident carries a much heavier weight.

“It doesn’t matter if the law says it wasn’t ‘severe’—it was enough to terrify a child,” said Triesch. “That’s enough for us.”

Organizers of the April 25 rally say they are planning future events, including a vigil and public forum, to push for greater transparency in early education facilities. Some have also pledged to support the Coronado family as they pursue civil remedies.

The Centro de la Familia organization has not released a public statement beyond confirming that Davis and the two other employees have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Timeline of Events

As the legal process unfolds, it’s clear the court of public opinion is already in session. The question now is whether Davis’s charge will remain a misdemeanor—or whether growing community pressure could prompt prosecutors to reconsider.