PD: Goodyear official, wife arrested on child abuse charge

Reported by: Deborah Stocks

Email: dstocks@abc15.com

Reported by: MaryEllen Resendez

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- A Goodyear couple has been arrested on suspicion of child abuse after a 4-year-old girl was taken to a Valley hospital with broken bones and bruising.

According to Goodyear police spokesman John H. Rowan, officers were called to the West Valley Hospital emergency room at about 6 a.m. Tuesday after the girl was admitted in critical condition with fractures to both legs and her right arm.

According to a Goodyear police report, both 40-year-old Raul Varela and 39-year-old Tricia Varela admitted to causing their daughter's injuries.

The report says the couple took the young girl to the hospital because she had abdominal pain and they thought she was constipated. There hospital staff found severe bruising on her legs, arms, back, abdomen and head along with the broken bones.

Raul admitted to causing the injuries on Saturday, saying he was upset because "she had not gone 'poop'," according to the report.

He said he held her down on the toilet, while pushing her stomach and back as well as pushing down on her thighs and inner legs.

Raul told officers he was aware that when he does this it causes visible injuries to the girl.

According to the report, Tricia Varela said that she held her daughter down on the toilet for three hours until she went limp. She said she struck her with a shoe, a flip flop and kitchen spatulas.

Tricia also told police she grabbed her daughter by her arms and at one point restrained them behind her back possibly causing the fracture.

She reportedly characterized the event as a "'war' and huge 'fight' with the 4-year-old victim."

"Terribly sad, terribly sad," said Carolyn Hatfield, a neighbor of the family. "I have two great grandchildren, two and four, and I can't imagine anyone hurting them."

Hatfield says she doesn't know the Varelas, but sees the children playing in the cul de sac close to her home.

Police say the couple have six children.

Rowan said Raul and Tricia have been charged with one felony count of Child Abuse.

The victim and five other children in the household have been placed under the care of Child Protective Services, Rowan said.

Varela is Director of Engineering for the City of Goodyear and has reportedly been placed on administrative leave. He has been with the city since September 2006.

Rowan said the investigation is continuing and additional charges may be filed.

The victim's condition has been upgraded to stable and she has been transported to another hospital, according to Rowan.