How Could You? Hall of Shame-Angel and Osanna Bravo 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 Scottsdale, Arizona, adoptive parents Angel and Osanna Bravo , were arrested April 22, 2011 after finding their 3-year-old son Roman “unconscious in a bathroom and documenting multiple other instances of possible abuse, officials said.”

“Around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, while Roman was under the care of Osanna, he allegedly fell off a toilet and hit his head, causing serious injury.

Medics transported Roman to Phoenix Children’s Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery for a skull fracture and brain bleeding. Doctors also discovered a lacerated liver and bruising on his arm and chest and ruled the injuries “suspected non-accidental trauma,” according to a report.

At admittance, testing to reveal any further injures was impossible, officials said, due to Roman’s serious malnourishment.”

“After Roman reportedly fell off the toilet seat while Angel Bravo and their biological son Angel Gabriel Bravo, 7, were at a basketball game. Osanna said she forgot how to perform CPR and began to hit Roman’s chest in an effort to revive him before calling paramedics.”

Other Incidents

“Multiple other incidents have occurred since Roman was adopted in 2009, according to several reports.

On July 29, 2009, Roman was treated at Paradise Valley Hospital for a broken arm he apparently received either during rough play with his brother or while his father spun him around to calm him down, according to a report.

On April 7, 2011, Angel Gabriel Bravo reported to teachers at his school that Roman had scratches and bruises all over his body from his mother’s abuse. Both incidents remain ongoing investigations, officials said.

While at Phoenix Children’s Hospital Tuesday, Osanna reported that Roman had recently hit his head on a dog cage, requiring stitches.

Osanna Bravo claims that Roman “does not feel pain” and often runs into walls and doorways. She said that she and her husband had to teach him to put his arms out to stop himself when he falls, and he regularly picks at his fingers and body, causing injury.

According to Osanna, Roman also once ate scalding mashed potatoes, too hot for anyone else to eat, without complaint.”

“Angel Gabriel also reported that Roman had received many cuts that “hurt a lot” on his head, including a cut on his chin that he received from his mother’s ring when she “pretend punched him,” according to a report. Additionally, Angel Gabriel said that his father sometimes flicks Roman on the cheek to get him to stop crying.

Angel Bravo told detectives that Roman is a “difficult child who does not do as he is told” and that any discipline Osanna gives him is justified.

During an interview, Angel Gabriel said Roman’s discipline includes time-outs, removal of clothing, spankings, taking away certain items, denying food and placing toilet paper rolls on his hands. Angel Gabriel added that Roman is often placed in the closet and the bathtub to serve his time-outs.”

How did this child come into their care?

Comments to the article indicate that Roman was previously in foster care until almost age 2.

According to Osanna’s business website The K9 Staff, “[s]he was the owner and operator of her company from 2004 to 2007 when she made a tough decision to say goodbye to all of her wonderful clients in order to get adoption certified and welcome a new member to her family. Osanna’s family was blessed and finally completed the adoption of their two year old son this past November 2009…Osanna has been involved in rescue and transport for the past 10 years and is very comfortable with all types of breeds. She specializes in older dogs and dogs with behavior issues.”

Adoptive parents arrested in child abuse case say child ‘can’t feel pain’
[ABC15 news 4/25/11 by Alex Ferri]

Update/February 26, 2012:

The AZ CPS incident report gives ages of APs Osanna Bravo,29; and Angel Bravo, 37.

A search of public court docket for Arizona courts found an extensive listing of court motions and preliminary hearings on this case.

There were multiple status conferences and pretrial conferences leading up to an October 5, 2011 trial. At that point, motions to extend were filed and additionally filed in November and December 2011 and in January 2012.

On February 3, 2012, there was to be an 089: ME: trial setting. Motions were filed on February 8 and 9. Status conference was on February 15, 2012. On February 24, 2012 a 087 – ME: Order To Show Cause Issue was issued.

Upcoming court dates include:

March 14, 2012-orders to show cause and oral arguments

July 12, 2012-pretrial conference

August 6, 2012-trial

REFORM Puzzle Pieces

Update 2/August 10, 2013

A search of the Arizona court records reveals for Angel and Osanna Bravo that there is an  upcoming trial.

On August 5, 2013, a note that this is a complex/Capital case was added . There was a pretrial conference on August 7 and another scheduled for August 19. Thepretrial conference is scheduled for November 25, 2013 for the capital case with a trial date of December 2, 2013.