Yesterday, Judge Melisa Skinner of the 290th District Court sentenced Ray Garcia, Jr. to 40 years in prison. Garcia was charged with nine counts of Injury to a Child Causing Seriously Bodily Injury and Injury to a Child Causing Bodily Injury.
In April 2014, San Antonio police responded to a home on the city’s northeast side for reports of suspected child abuse. Once inside the home, officers found a 4-year-old girl badly beaten. At the hospital, doctors discovered the girl had broken bones – including a broken tailbone, and fractured jaw. In addition, the young girl was diagnosed with Diabetes, along with being malnourished. The girl’s diabetes was undiagnosed and therefore uncontrolled. Doctors said if she would not have received treatment within a week, she could have died. Ray Garcia, Jr., who was dating the girl’s mother, said he was babysitting the girl, along with her other siblings while their mother was working.
The girl told police and hospital staff that Garcia hit her with his hand, belt and also stomped on her back. The victim also said Garcia would often not feed her. The girl’s mother also admitted to police that several weeks before the victim was discovered - she had noticed the girl had bruising throughout her body. She said when she confronted Garcia, he physically assaulted her. She admits to not reporting the abuse because she was scared of the defendant. Police were called to the home after they received a tip about the abuse from one of the couple’s acquaintances.
“I commend this witness for coming forward and speaking up for this innocent child,” said District Attorney Nico LaHood. “If you ever suspect a child is being abused – please come forward and report it. This child would not be with us today if someone had not spoken up for her.”
The girl’s mother, Brandy Partida, was also charged with Injury to a Child Causing Serious Bodily Injury by Omission, for failing to report the abuse. She’s awaiting sentencing in the 290th District Court.
Injury to a Child Causing Seriously Bodily Injury is a First Degree Felony, punishable by 5-99 years or life in prison and up to a $10,000.00 fine. Injury to a Child Causing Bodily Injury is a third degree felony, punishable by 2-10 years in prison and up to a $10,000.00 fine. Prosecutors Chris DeMartino and Wendy McClellan handled the case.