Charges Filed
Criminal charges have been filed against Joseph Maloney and Nicole Sparks in the January 2019 death of 23-month-old Koltyn Blackwood. Maloney, 26 of Sonora, is charged with second-degree murder and assault on a child causing death and he and Sparks, 23, are both charged with child abuse. The two-year, on-going investigation by the Sonora Police Department and Tuolumne County District Attorney’s Office issued arrested warrants on Monday, January 25. Maloney was arrested at his home in Sonora. His bail is set at $1,000,000. Sparks’ arrest warrant remains outstanding. Her bail is set at $25,000.
Acting District Attorney of Tuolumne County Eric Hovatter and Chief of the Sonora Police Department Turu VanderWiel made the announcement stating the charges are th