How Could You? Hall of Shame-Jerome Courtland Mitchell and Herminia Ibarra Mitchell 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 Prescott, Arizona, adoptive parents Jerome Courtland Mitchell, 60, and Herminia Ibarra Mitchell, 59, were arrested on January 14, 2013 “for allegedly abusing their 4-year-old adopted daughter.”

“Police say the couple has denied the charges. They don’t have a lawyer yet.

Officers were contacted Tuesday by a faculty member at the girl’s school.

Police say they saw a round bruise on the child’s cheek and scratches on her neck, face and ears.

The girl was taken to Yavapai Regional Medical Center for a medical evaluation.

Authorities say the child had additional bruising all over her body and there were indications of sexual abuse.”
Hermina Ibarra [sic], accused of abusing young daughter

[ABC 15 1/16/13 by Associated Press]

“On Tuesday, a faculty member at a local school contacted police about a possible case of child abuse regarding a student.

A responding officer saw a round bruise on the girl’s cheek and noted that the bruising was so deep it could be seen inside her mouth, according to police spokesman Lt. Ken Morley. The child also had scratches on her neck, face and ears.

The victim reportedly made statements to the officer that caused concern and Child Protective Services was notified.

The victim was taken to Yavapai Regional Medical Center for evaluation and additional bruising was found all over her body. Morley said there were indications of sexual abuse, which investigators linked to the adoptive mother.”

“The parents were interviewed about the victim’s condition and denied noticing anything unusual or any significant bruising, according to Morley. They also denied anything related to sexual abuse.

Investigators said the couple showed very little concern about the 4-year-old victim and blamed the injuries on normal childhood mishaps.

The adoptive parents were arrested and booked into Yavapai County Jail in Camp Verde on felony child abuse charges. The woman also was charged with felony sexual abuse of a child.

The victim and her 2-year-old brother were left in the custody of CPS.”

 

Prescott couple accused of abusing adopted 4-year-old daughter

[Arizona Family.com 1/16/13 by Jennifer Thomas]

“The school official who made the call said that she had training and experience that led her to believe the girl was an abuse victim, the report said, and she found bruises over “a large portion of her body.”

The victim told police that she didn’t want to tell them how she got the injuries because a family member “told her not to talk about it or tell anyone,” according to a probable cause statement.

When police spoke to the Mitchells, Jerome said he had spanked the girl but could not explain the other injuries, the statement said, and Herminia also said she had spanked the girl with a belt and “stated she was the one who had caused the bruises but could not explain how or where they occurred.”

The victim was taken to the hospital, where she was examined. While there, she told a nurse that the previous day, Herminia had sexually molested her as a means of punishment, the statement said, and that was confirmed in the hospital’s exam as well.

Jerome was indicted on a child abuse charge; Herminia, child abuse and a count of sexual conduct with a minor.

Monday, the Mitchells appeared before Superior Court Judge Tina Ainley.

Jerome’s attorney, Daniel Kaiser, asked for and was granted a continuance.

Herminia’s lawyer, Andrew Falick, struggled to keep her from speaking out. Ainley said she would order a preliminary mental competency examination, after which Herminia began asking the judge, “Why am I here? I want to know why I am here.”

Ainley told her to address her questions to Falick, who would answer them, but she continued, saying, “That’s what they keep telling me.”

As deputies escorted her from the courtroom, she said, “I am leaving for Mexico,” and “I don’t know what the hell is going on.”

She is being held at the Camp Verde jail on $15,000 bond. ”

Woman accused of abusing girl to get competency exam

 

[The Daily Courier 2/25/13 by Scott Orr]

A search of Prescott Justice Court and Yavapai County Superior court public records reveals that Jerome was charged with 1 felony  count of Child Or Vulnerable Adult Abuse Per Domestic Violence.  A bond of $15,000 was set. On January 24, 2013, the bond was posted. The case is now with the Yavapai Superior Court and has been continued several times. The last continuance was on June 5, 2013.

A search of Prescott Justice Court and Yavapai County Superior court public records reveals that Herminia was charged with 1 felony count of  Sexual conduct with a minor and 1 felony count of Child Or Vulnerable Adult Abuse Per Domestic Violence. On February 15, 2013, a motion for Rule 11 occurred. A Rule 11 is a request for mental examination. An explanation of Rule 11 can be found here. Orders for Rule 11 exams were issued on February 26, 2013, March 25, 2013, and March 28, 2013. Doctors’ reports were submitted on March 25, 2013 and May 20, 2013. Treatment was ordered on May 21, 2013. The case file remains open.

REFORM Puzzle Pieces

Update: “Child abuse charges have been dropped on a Prescott Valley woman and her husband will likely also have similar charges against him dropped as well, according to court documents.

Jerome Mitchell, 60, and Herminia Ibarra-Mitchell, 60, were arrested on Jan. 15. Jerome was accused of child abuse, and Herminia was accused of child abuse and child molestation. A police report said a teacher of the victim – a girl – noticed scratches and “extensive bruising” on the girl and the school called Prescott Valley police.

The school official who made the call said that she had training and experience that led her to believe the girl was an abuse victim, the report said, and she found bruises over “a large portion of her body.”

The victim told police that she didn’t want to tell them how she got the injuries because a family member “told her not to talk about it or tell anyone,” according to a police probable cause statement.

On July 29, Superior Court Judge Tina Ainley found that Herminia was not competent to stand trial and not treatable by the Yavapai County Restoration to Competency program. She dismissed the charges against Herminia and released her. A court record notes that her “family intends to pursue guardianship (of the children) in the future.”

That same day, Jerome appeared before Ainley for a pretrial conference.

However, a document notes that “defense counsel informs the court that there have been discussions with the state regarding potential dismissal” and attorney Daniel Kaiser requested a continuance until an Aug. 19 change-of-plea appearance.

Jerome is out of custody on $15,000 bond.”

Child abuse charges dismissed against woman, husband may follow

[The Daily Courier 8/12/13 by Scott Orr]