Former Goodyear official, wife indicted on child abuse charges

by Elias C. Arnold

A former Goodyear official and his wife have been indicted on multiple counts of child abuse in connection with potty training their adopted 4-year-old daughter.

Raul Varela, the city's previous engineering director, faces two counts of child abuse and Tricia Varela, faces four counts, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office announced Friday.

Goodyear police arrested the couple Friday in connection with the charges, which a grand jury handed down Wednesday.

The County Attorney's Office declined to release a copy of the indictment until after the Varelas' initial appearance, scheduled for Friday night.

Raul Varela, 40, and Tricia, 39, both of Goodyear, were first arrested in April but later released while police investigated further at the request of the County Attorney's Office.

Goodyear fired Raul Varela from his $121,000-a-year job early this month after nearly three years with the city. He had been on paid leave since the initial arrest.

According to a police report, Tricia Varela took her daughter to the West Valley Hospital emergency room for abdominal pain early April 28.

Hospital staff discovered severe bruising on her legs, arms, upper and lower back, abdomen and head, as well as what appeared to be a broken arm.

She was rushed to another hospital in critical condition. Further examination revealed the girl had abdominal bruising on both sides of her body extending to her lower back. She also had two broken legs and a fracture to her upper right arm, the report shows.

The Varelas were arrested the same day. According to the report, the couple admitted they had caused the girl's injuries on April 25 during a potty-training "war." The couple reportedly said they forced her on the toilet by restraining her with her hands held behind her back, pushing on her stomach, back and legs, and pushing her head down between her legs.

The girl has since been released from the hospital to the care of Child Protective Services.

There were six children living with the Varelas at the time: two biological sons, ages 7 and 9; and four adopted daughters, ages 2 to 8, including the victim. They are also in the care of CPS.