Mother of Dead Toddler Arrested for Separate Abuse Incident

Posted: Mar 28, 2011 6:11 PM by Steven Romo - sromo@kristv.com
Updated: Mar 29, 2011 12:36 AM

CORPUS CHRISTI - There's new information on the death of a toddler back in January, which police are investigating as a homicide. We have now learned the boy's mother was arrested and charged with a separate incident of abusing the boy last year, according to police.

Police say the boy's mother, Lorraine Rodriguez, was arrested last year for a separate incident of injury to a child involving her son. This incident happened in June of 2010 and also resulted in the arrest of Juan Garza, Rodriguez's boyfriend. Garza is also charged with injury to a child.

Police have ruled the death of 21-month-old Texas Ruiz a homicide, but have named no suspects in the death investigation. The baby died on January 1. The medical examiner's office says, blunt injuries to the head and abdomen caused the death.

CPS confirms that it investigated the family for an abuse incident reported in June. CPS representatives say they found reason to believe that the boy was being neglected and abused. Officials say they did not take custody of the boy, but instead handed the investigation over to the police department.

Garza pleaded not guilty last week and requested a jury trial. He's being held on a $100,000 bond.

Police say Rodriguez posted bail following her arrest and is awaiting a trial.

No suspects or persons of interest have been named in the death investigation.

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Emphasis added by H4K Editor



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