Foster parents jailed after death

Foster parents jailed after death

Roger Croteau

Express-News

08/27/2007 10:30 PM CDT

Additional charges are expected against two foster parents jailed in connection with the death of an 8-year-old child in Gonzales County, the Texas Ranger investigating the case said Monday.

Rubin and Bettie Ramirez already face first-degree felony charges of injury to a child after Rubin Ramirez brought the lifeless body of Chrystal Ramirez to the Belmont Fire Station on Friday. Efforts to resuscitate the child were unsuccessful.

Texas Ranger Dewayne Goll said the child had "obvious injuries," but he would not give details. A preliminary autopsy was done by the Travis County medical examiner's office, but Goll said he had not seen the results as of Monday afternoon.

A Gonzales County Sheriff's Department news release states that the Ramirezes and Chrystal's two siblings, a 10-year-old girl and 7-year-old boy, were taken to Norma's House, a Gonzales child advocacy center, for interviews with Child Protective Services caseworkers.

After the interviews, the children remained in the care of CPS and the parents were booked into Gonzales County Jail. Rubin Ramirez was being held on $150,000 bond, and Bettie Ramirez was being held on $100,000 bond. Both were charged with injury to a child.

Goll said the Ramirezes were acting as foster parents to all three children and are related to them.

"I anticipate another set of injury to a child charges, based on injuries to another of the siblings," Goll said. "We are seeking additional warrants against both (of the Ramirezes)."