How Could You?Hall of Shame-Darlene Valdovinos-Aguilera 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 Visalia, California, foster mother, 29-year-old Darlene Valdovinos-Aguilera,”has been arrested, accused of beating an infant in her care.

Police say the 18-month-old is still alive but received a brain injury and some fractures.

Police originally responded to a home in a Visalia neighborhood on Sunday for a report of an unresponsive child.

The child’s foster mother, 29-year-old Darlene Valdovinos-Aguilera, told police the 18-month-old had received the injuries from a fall.

The child was brought to Kaweah Delta Medical Center and then transferred to Valley Children’s Hospital.

Visalia Police say their detectives then worked with the hospital’s child abuse team and determined the child’s injuries were not accidental, but inflicted by Valdovinos-Aguilera.

“I think any case involving a child is difficult,” said Visalia Police Sgt. Gary Williams. “But we make sure that we get all of the facts, we obtain all of the evidence that’s out there, and then we make a decision based on that on whether there’s an arrest that can be made.”

After an interview with Valdovinos-Aguilera on Friday morning, police arrested her.

They say there was also a foster father living at the home, but he is not under investigation for any crimes at this time.

Child Welfare Services has taken the other children that lived at the home into their care, but police don’t believe they were abused.

“We talked to everyone in the residence including the other kids,” Williams said. “And so everyone cooperated, along with the mom.”

The suspect is being held at the Tulare County Pre-Trial Facility on $500,000 bail.”

Visalia foster mother accused of severely injuring 18-month-old

[ABC 30 8/17/18 by Brian T. Johnson]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Update:“The victim was just 14 months old when he suffered broken bones, bruising, and a brain bleed.
Now, his family is opening up for the first time about the heartbreaking case.

“It’s been really tough just waiting for justice for David has been a really hard thing, especially for our kids,” said Jennifer Mesta, the mother of David, who was abused by his foster mother, Darlene Valdovinos, more than five years ago.

The family is finally seeing some justice.”

Visalia foster parent sentenced to 11 years in prison for child abuse
[ABC 30 1/18/24 by Kassandra Gutierrez]