A woman charged in the negligent death of her toddler in 2022 was denied a lower bond on Thursday in El Paso County Court. 

Amber Comstock, 32, was arrested on suspicion of child abuse resulting in death on Jan. 5.

Officers responding to a 911 call found Comstock’s 14-month old son dead at his home on Nov. 16, 2022, according to her arrest affidavit. Comstock told investigators that she had put the toddler down for a nap around 11 a.m., and had checked on him occasionally. She said the toddler was dead when she checked on him around 5:15 p.m., but had failed to contact 911 until another member of the household could make it home. 

An autopsy, with the specific findings redacted from the public affidavit document, ruled the toddler’s manner of death to be a homicide. 

More than a year later, Colorado Springs police arrested Comstock. She has remained in the county jail since then. 

Comstock’s attorney argued in court Thursday that her current bond of $250,000 was too high. The attorney argued that her not fleeing the area, even after she knew police were investigating her role in the death of her toddler, combined with the lack of prior criminal charges outside of a traffic violation, should justify a lower bond. The defense referenced ongoing Department of Human Services hearings regarding Comstock’s parental rights regarding her youngest child, born after the death of the toddler, as another reason she would not be a flight risk.

The prosecutor in the case argued against a lowering of bond “due to the number of children” with whom was involved, regarding drug use and neglect. Specifically, prosecutors said that Comstock’s past involving the loss of parental rights for multiple children, and a documented history of drug addiction issues made it unsafe for her to leave incarceration. 

Judge Monica Gomez ruled that Comstock’s bail amount would remain unchanged. 

Comstock is scheduled back in court for a preliminary hearing on her charges on March 29.