A Cortez man who pleaded guilty in the 2011 death of his 6-month-old daughter has been apprehended after failing to appear for a revocation hearing.
According to jail records, Dylan Kuhn, 22, of South Chestnut Street, was apprehended by the Cortez Police Department on Wednesday, July 29. A no-bond bench warrant w
as issued for Kuhn’s arrest after he skipped a probation revocation hearing on July 9.
In a two-page incident report, police learned on Wednesday that Kuhn was reportedly staying at his mother’s home at the Mountain View Trailer Park. Police said they were advised that Kuhn had refused to turn himself in and was going to commit suicide by cop.
Multiple units responded to the mother’s home just before 11 a.m. on Wednesday, advising neighbors to remain indoors. A seagearnt subsequently contacted Kuhn by cell phone, and he surrended without incident after a short standoff, according to police.
At an advisement hearing Thursday morning, District Court Judge Todd Plewe granted a prosecution request, ordering Kuhn be held without bond. A revocation hearing was set for Aug. 11.
At Thursday’s hearing, Kuhn, shackled and wearing khaki inmate clothing, appeared confused, asking the court why his probation officer was absent. Plewe said the probation officer wasn’t required to attend the proceeding.
Initially charged with manslaughter and child abuse, Kuhn pleaded guilty to reckless manslaughter in July 2012. He reportedly slammed his infant daughter, Sailor Serenity Raine Kuhn, onto a bed on Nov. 1, 2011, which resulted in the child’s death.
With 15 months remaining on a four-year probationary term, officials filed a four-count complaint against Kuhn on June 17. According to court records, Kuhn missed scheduled probation appointments, tested positive for methamphetamines and opiates, skipped drug and alcohol tests and failed to engage in ordered counseling.
The manslaughter case received national attention three years ago from media pundits and bloggers critical of Chief District Court Judge Doug Walker’s imposed sentence, which included 90 days in jail and the probationary term.
At sentencing, Walker cited Kuhn’s lack of a criminal history, his age and the likelihood that he would not be a repeat offender as reasons for not imposing stiffer punishment.
Under the 2012 plea agreement approved by former District Attorney Russell Wasley, initial child abuse and DUI charges were dismissed.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com
