Sheriff: Negligent mother likely to face criminal charges

EDINBURG -- The mother of an infant girl who was brutally beaten last week will likely face criminal charges, authorities said Thursday.

The woman's boyfriend, Americo Prado, 20, has admitted striking the child and was charged Wednesday afternoon with one count of injury to a child, a first-degree felony. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison and a possible fine of up to $10,000.

Jozera Treviño, the14-month-old victim from Weslaco, has been receiving treatment this week at Driscoll Children's Hospital in Corpus Christi for injuries that allegedly resulted from the abuse.

The infant's mother, Joann Martinez, 22, of Weslaco, took Jozera to the Corpus Christi hospital Saturday, where the girl was diagnosed with seven skull fractures, a broken arm, injured kidneys and bruised buttocks, according to an affidavit filed in Nueces County Criminal Court. Jozera remained in the hospital Thursday.

Prado told a Rockport, Texas, police investigator Tuesday that he had punched Jozera with his left fist on the back of her head.

According to the affidavit in the case, Martinez told investigators her daughter had virtually stopped eating and slept more than usual Sept. 30, four days before Jozera went into the hospital.

"Ms. Martinez was asked if she had seen any other changes in her daughter and she said she noticed the back of her daughter's head had a large lump and her hair was falling out," the affidavit reads. The mother was also asked of possible bruises on Jozera's behind, but she did not notice.

Hidalgo County Sheriff Lupe Treviño said Thursday his investigators are building a case against Martinez because they believe she knew of the ongoing abuse but never contacted authorities. Martinez would likely face charges of injury to a child, he said.

Treviño said he anticipated Martinez's arrest within 24 hours.

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Jared Taylor covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4439.