Biological Mom Comes Face-To-Face With Adoptive Couple Accused of Killing Her Child

Biological Mom Comes Face-To-Face With Adoptive Couple Accused of Killing Her Child

reported by: Demond Fernandez

Last Update: 12/18/2007 6:30 pm

The biological mother of an 8-year-old girl who was starved and brutally beaten came face-to-face Tuesday with the elderly couple accused of killing her daughter.

It's been called one of the worst cases of child abuse in Gonzales County. Rubin Ramirez and his wife Bettie Ramirez are accused of torturing and killing their adopted daughter, Chrystal. The couple has been charged with murder.

"This is a loving father and mother that cared greatly for their children," Bettie Ramirez's attorney Nate Stark said.

Court documents show the Ramirez's starved Chrystal, tied her arms and legs with tape, and beat her with a cane to the point her brain and skull began bleeding.

"That's love? That's not love," said Chrystal's biological mother Teresa Camarillo. "When you love somebody, you don't hurt them on purpose."

Chrystal's biological mom and family were in court for the hearing.  They looked on as the Ramirez's attorney explained how the couple is poor and live in less than ideal circumstances.

"Just like an automobile accident, sometimes bad things happen. But it's not because of intent. And that's what happened in this case," said Stark.

Chrystal's biological family's not buying that.

"That's an excuse for them to say I had a right to do that," said Teresa Camarillo. "I'm poor. I don't make a lot of money. I have a minimum wage job. But I don't treat my kids like that."

Bettie and Rubin Ramirez are due back in court in February.

The Ramirez's were also accused of abusing Chrystal's brother and sister. They are in foster care right now.