| For Immediate Release Case # 10CF1675
|
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
MOTHER AND BOYFRIEND CONVICTED OF CHILD ABUSE OF 2 AND 5-YEAR-OLD SONS, WHO WERE
TIED TO BED AS A RESTRAINT
SANTA ANA – A mother and her boyfriend were convicted today of child abuse against two boys, ages 2 and 5 years old, who were tied by their wrists and ankles to a bed. Cheryl Ann Stuart, 26, and Mario Alberto Colin, 31, both of Santa Ana, pleaded guilty to a court offer to two felony counts of child abuse and one felony count of corporal injury on a child. They were each sentenced to 270 days in jail and three years of formal probation.
In June 2010, Stuart was renting a room in a Santa Ana home and shared the room with her two sons, 2-year-old John Doe #1 and 5-year-old John Doe #2. Colin had a romantic relationship with Stuart.
On June 23, 2010, the homeowner of the residence where Stuart was living observed John Doe #1 tied to a bed by his wrists. The homeowner contacted the Santa Ana Police Department to request a child welfare check. Responding police officers found that John Doe #1 had new and old bruises on his face. The investigation revealed that Stuart had been tying her two sons to their bed and crib by their ankles and/or wrists to prevent them from moving around the room.
Colin, a behavioral technician with the El Rancho School District, had exchanged dozens of text messages with Stuart instructing her to tie down the victims. Colin was assigned to Durfee Elementary School in Pico Rivera to work with children with behavioral issues.
Both victims were hospitalized and released into protective custody. They are now living with a family member.
Deputy District Attorney Kathleen Roberts of the Family Protection Unit prosecuted this case.
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