How Could You? Hall of Shame-Marissa Salas and Thomas Torres

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 San Antonio, Texas, foster mother Marissa Salas and her boyfriend Thomas Torres “indicted this week on multiple charges in connection with the abuse of their 15-month-old foster child.

Marissa Salas and her boyfriend Thomas Torres were among 199 felony indictments handed down by Bexar County grand juries this week.

Salas, 19, faces four indictments of intentionally and knowingly causing serious bodily harm to a child, while Torres, 24, faces two counts with similar charges.

Bexar County deputies were first called to the couple’s home in the …of Novella at the end of June in response to an infant who was having a seizure. When first responders arrived, they saw that the child had bruises, bite marks and a bump on her head, the Express-News previously reported.

The child was taken to the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, where doctors found more injuries including several fractures on her hip, toe and skull, as well as a burn mark on her thigh. Officials said the child likely had been forcefully hit in the head.

When questioned by police, Salas said she had dropped the child and didn’t see the injuries, according to reports. Investigators also believe Torres had thrown the baby in the air inside the home, resulting in the child’s head hitting the ceiling.

Officials believe there were at least six incidents of abuse involving both parents.

Reports stated that Torres would laugh during the assaults. He later told police that he would bite the child, pick her up by one arm, and spank her, all out of anger, the Express-News said.

The case was prosecuted by the Family Violence Division of the District Attorney’s Office in the 437th District Court.

Their charges are first-degree felonies, punishable by up to 99 years or life in prison.”

Foster parents indicted on child abuse charges after 15-month-old found with burns, bite marks
[San Antonio Express-News 9/23/22 by Taylor Pettaway]

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