Toni Hopper
Erick Javier Rodriguez, 20, of Duncan, was arrested Monday on charges of child abuse.
He was charged in Stephens County District Court Wednesday with child abuse and will appear for a preliminary hearing conference at 9 a.m. April 13.
Sheriff Wayne McKinney and Lieutenant Lawson Guthrie took the 2-year-old child into protective custody at Duncan Regional Hospital, after the child was treated for lacerations made with an extension cord, McKinney said.
According to the affidavit based on statements of the toddler’s mother and grandmother, Rodriguez allegedly used the extension cord to discipline the child at his apartment. The mother was allegedly sleeping and did not hear the child scream.
It was after Rodriguez woke the child’s mother that she called her grandmother to come and get both her and the toddler. They then called the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office to make a formal report against Rodriguez. According to the affidavit of the mother’s statement, the child had a bruise across his face, where Rodriguez allegedly “smacked him.”
SCSO Deputy Daniel Smith was the investigating officer and while at the grandmother’s home in Comanche, he asked the child who hurt him, at which time the toddler said “Erick hurt me.”
Smith told the mother and grandmother to take the child to the hospital to be treated and he notified Department of Human Services, he went to Rodriguez’ home and arrested him on child abuse charges.
During Rodriguez’ interview with the deputy, he denied any involvement of child abuse, according to the affidavit.
“It’s just sad that people treat children like this,” McKinney said Wednesday. He sees many cases of child abuse within Stephens County and said he won’t hesitate to arrest the individuals responsible.
“We placed that child into protective custody. I know that DHS believes the child should be with their biological parents, but I have to do what I believe is the right thing at that time,” McKinney said.
It is not known if the child has been returned to the mother.
— Toni Hopper is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. She can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 132 or by e-mail at: toni.hopper@duncanbanner.com.
