How Could You? Hall of Shame-Benito and Carol Gutierrez 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 Tucson, Arizona, “adoptive parents Benito Gutierrez, 69, and Carol Gutierrez, 64, have been arrested on charges of child abuse.

Both Benito and Carol Gutierrez appeared in video court on Wednesday, facing 4 counts of child abuse of their adopted children. They each hold a $25,000 bond. They are set to appear in court on March 5 at 1:30 p.m.

According to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, deputies responded to a residence in the 4100 block of North Flowing Wells Road regarding suspicious activity involving a child.

Deputies said they found four children, ranging in age from six to twelve, living in the home with their adoptive parents.

During PCSD investigation of the home, deputies discovered that the children were kept in separate bedrooms which locked from the outside.

The children had no access to food, water, light or bathroom facilities for up to twelve hours at a time on a daily basis.

Deputies said one bedroom only had a bucket to use as a toilet.

One of the children was able to escape through a bedroom window and alerted authorities by phone at a Family Dollar store in the area.”

Police: Child crawled out window to escape alleged abuse

[KVOA 2/21/18 by Katie Caldwell]

“The boy asked to use the phone, but the shop worker decided to call 911 for him due to the child’s age and condition.

When police arrived at the family’s home on North Flowing Wells Road, they found that the four kids, ages six to 12, were being kept in horrific conditions.

‘The children were kept in separate bedrooms, which were locked from the outside,’ the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement. ‘(They had) no access to food, water, lights or bathroom facilities for up to 12 hours at a time on a regular basis.'”

“The children have since been removed from the home. It’s unclear who they are being taken care of by currently. ”
Arizona couple arrested for locking their four adopted children, ages six to 12, in bedrooms all day with no food or water

[Daily Mail 2/21/18 by Ashley Collman]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Update:“A Tucson couple has pleaded guilty to child abuse after their four adopted children were found living in alarming conditions.

Authorities say the children were allegedly locked in separate rooms for up to 12 hours at a time with no access to food, water, lights or bathroom facilities.

Pima County Sheriff’s officials say 69-year-old Benito Gutierrez and 64-year-old Carol Gutierrez were arrested in February.

They each pleaded guilty to three counts of child abuse Monday and are scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 20.

The children were removed from their home after sheriff’s deputies went to the house in response to a 911 call.

Investigators say they learned the children were fed only once a day and were locked outside the home all day on weekends.”

Tucson couple with adopted kids plead guilty to child abuse

[The Register Citizen 7/9/18 by AP]