Steamboat Pilot & Today

Two of the three boys who police think were involved in branding four Hayden High School students earlier this month are talking to attorneys but not to police, Hayden police Chief Jody Lenahan said Tuesday.

Police are wrapping up their investigation of the March 11 incident in which four high school students were branded -- possibly against their will -- with a heated coat hanger.

Through interviews with one of the suspects, witnesses and victims, police think they know what happened, but no arrests have been made.

Lenahan said his officers typically do not arrest juveniles unless they are an immediate threat to themselves or others. But he anticipates that felony charges will be filed.

He said juveniles usually are issued a summons by police or the District Attorney's Office.

Lenahan said one of the suspects has been cooperating with police and has admitted to being involved in the brandings.

The incident reportedly occurred during a party at a home in Hayden. About 15 juveniles were at the party, and some drank alcohol, Lenahan said.

The mother of the two boys who live at the home was not present. Those two boys were not involved in the branding, Lenahan said, adding that one of them tried to kick out the partygoers after some of the older teens began to brand people.

Hayden police learned about the incident two days later.

"This is a complicated case," Lenahan said.

He said the investigator, officer Gordon Booco, is working overtime to finish the case. Booco is writing the report and interviewing some witnesses, a suspect and victim.

On Tuesday, Lenahan used his hands to make a large rectangle to describe the shape and size of one of the brandings that was given to one of the boys.

"We want to find out who was involved so they can take responsibility and hopefully learn something and never do something like this again," Lenahan said.