LaRue County mother gets 10 years for child abuse

By LINDA IRELAND

Landmark News Service

Myra Rodriguez, 31, of Buffalo who admitted to abusing her four children, was not granted probation at her sentencing.

She was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

In February, she admitted guilt to 16 felony and 30 misdemeanor charges regarding what court documents called “torture and cruel punishment” inflicted upon four children – the youngest only 3 at the time.

She and her husband, Juan, adopted three of the children in 2007.

Between February 2007 and May 29, 2008, when authorities became involved, the children had been pushed down stairs, shoved into a bathtub and had their fingernails bent backward until blood was drawn.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Whitney Meredith also told of incidents where the children were required to sit or stand in muscle-straining positions for extended times.

The most serious charges were two counts of second-degree assault. Rodriguez also admitted to eight counts of second-degree criminal abuse, six counts of wanton endangerment, 17 counts of fourth-degree assault and eight counts of endangering the welfare of a minor.

She was credited for 74 days served.

The children’s foster parent, whose name is not being released because of privacy concerns, was allowed to give a victim’s impact statement before Circuit Judge Charles Simms III.

“I have four children who are very scarred,” she said. “A 3-year-old with bite marks on her lips.”

“Her own daughter ... could not imagine her mom could be so mean.”

Myra Rodriguez stood before the judge and wiped away tears while the foster mother spoke of the children’s psychological and physical problems.

“I’m not saying these are easy kids to parent,” said the foster mother. “But there was no reason for these children to live the rest of their lives with the scars she inflicted when she lost control.”

She added that she had fostered the three children before they were adopted by the Rodriguezes.

“We tried to mentor the Rodriguez family and they would not allow us to have contact with the children,” she wrote in court documents.

Court records also showed written statements from the children:

“Mad, sad, scarde [sic].”

“I’m just a miserable 12-year-old.”

“Go to jail forever so no more kids get hurt.”

Juan Rodriguez, 35, accepted a plea agreement on 11 misdemeanor counts and accepted a 12-month jail sentence that will be probated for two years.

He had six charges reduced from first-degree complicity to commit criminal abuse and accepted a guilty plea for facilitation to commit criminal abuse. He also admitted to charges of assault, fourth degree and endangering the welfare of a minor.

Juan Rodriguez’s deal includes a condition that he live outside Kentucky.

Meredith said Rodriguez traveled often for work while the family lived in LaRue County. Meredith said his charges indicate he did nothing to prevent abuse although he was not an active participant.