How Could You? Hall of Shame-Lonnie Fresquez Updated

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Rodarte, New Mexico, Lonnie Vasquez, 22, aunt and foster mother, was charged with child abuse on her 2-year-old foster daughter.

She “told state police she knew her 2-year-old niece and foster daughter was “limping around” but was unaware of the extent of the child’s injuries that allegedly occurred Dec. 2 after the child “appeared to do the splits” on a bed and “landed wrong.”

Frésquez told police she took the child to the doctor after she woke from a nap screaming in pain.

Because Frésquez’ home is also the child’s foster home, case workers with the Children, Youth and Families Department were contacted, but they said that Frésquez failed to mention the child’s injuries. Frésquez only mentioned, the officials told police, that the child had a doctor’s appointment to have blood drawn.

Public documents in the case said doctors at Española’s Presbyterian Hospital said an examination of the child revealed the toddler had “multiple fractures that don’t correlate with the story given.” These included fractures to both arms at the collarbone, both hands, as well as the girl’s right femur and tibia.

Doctors also noted the child had severe bruising and Frésquez told police that another injury occurred when the child bit another family member and was punched in the face.”

Rodarte woman charged for alleged child abuse
[The Taos News 1/17/12 by Chandra Johnson]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Who determined that this was the best placement for the child? Were there other foster children in this home? Was appropriate monitoring done?

 

 

 

 

 

Update/October 10. 2014: “A Taos grand jury indicted a Rodarte foster mother for child abuse in connection with the 2011 hospitalization of her 2-year-old niece, The Taos News reported.

Lonnie Fresquez, 22, has been charged with one count of negligent child abuse, and her public defender, attorney Linda Hollander, has filed a demand for a speedy trial but no hearings have been set so far in the case, The News said.

Fresquez told State Police in her initial interview in December 2011 that she knew her 2-year-old niece and foster daughter was “limping around” but was unaware of the extent of the child’s injuries, the paper reported.”

UPDATED: Rodarte Foster Mom Indicted[Albuquerque Journal 6/26/12 ]

A search of New Mexico’s court records finds that she has pre-trial conferences on 10/09/12 and 6/10/13. She had a jury trial on 10/15/13. On Oct 28, 2013, she had a CLS: CONDITIONAL DISCHARGE[Guilty, No Contest Plea ] . On 11/20/13, she had ORD: OF PROBATION. On 1/31/14  Defendant has violated Probation . On 8/5/14 , Report from APPO, Def. has violated Condition #9 . On 8/25/14 , NOTIFICATION OF ARREST .On 9/4/14 , Motion To Revoke Probation, On 9/16/14 ,Post-Warrant Bail/Conditions Hearing Order (It is ordered that bond is set in the amount of $5,000 cash only; see order for all details).On 10/1/14, Probation Violation Notice of Intent To Call Witnesses .On 11/3/14, PROBATION VIOLATION HEARING