Marat and Emilie Kudlis suffered the agony of seeing their 3-year-old son killed last year when a truck crashed into the Baskin-Robbins they had gone to for ice cream.

Now police have accused Matthew Keysacker, 30, of Aurora, of exploiting the family's grief by holding a poker fundraiser for the parents in December then pocketing at least $3,450 of donations.

Marten Kudlis was killed Sept. 4 along with two women in the pickup that slammed into the Baskin-Robbins after a man, allegedly speeding in an SUV, hit the pickup.

Police say poker promoter Keysacker posted Marten Kudlis' bright-eyed photograph on his poker tournament Web site to lure donors to a fundraiser at Fuddruckers in Aurora.

He was arrested Monday night at one of his regular free poker events at the Naughty Prince bar in Denver.

Keysacker has been charged with two felonies: theft and using his SuitedAcesPoker.com Web site to commit the theft. He is free on $6,000 bail.

Reached at his home Wednesday, Keysacker said his attorney had advised him not to speak to the media.

Keysacker contacted Aurora police days after the tragedy, asking officers to have the parents call him so he could discuss the charity event, said Detective Bob Friel, spokesman for Aurora Police Department.

The Dec. 7 Fuddruckers event attracted 30 participants who bid on a basketball autographed by Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony, a Christmas tree and other donated gifts that were raffled off.

The poker players were asked to donate $25 each, and the restaurant owner and staff contributed gift cards and tips.

But Marat Kudlis told police when he later called Keysacker about the donations, the promoter told him his wife's credit card had been stolen and they were having financial difficulties.

So, he couldn't give them the money, according to a detective's statement supporting Keysacker's arrest.

The father replied "that he didn't think it was right that Mr. Keysacker has used his son's name and their situation," the detective wrote.

He demanded Marten's name be removed from the Web site.

"Matthew Keysacker took advantage of the family who already experienced great tragedy," Friel said.

Keysacker was arrested in 2007 in Aurora for misdemeanor child abuse/negligence that didn't cause injury, according to court records.

He pleaded guilty and received a deferred judgment that allowed him to clear his record if he successfully completed six months probation and complied with probation conditions.

Police suspect more unaccounted donors might be out there and urge anyone with information to call the department at 303-739-6000.