Modesto mom, boyfriend accused of child abuse. Boy is in critical condition
A Modesto woman and her boyfriend were arrested on suspicion of abusing her 7-year-old son, causing injuries that has left him in critical condition.
Modesto Police were called to the Live Oak Apartments at 1900 Oakdale Road Sunday afternoon by paramedics and fire personnel who were treating the boy for serious injuries, said Modesto Police Department spokeswoman Sharon Bear. The boy’s mother, 35-year-old Jovonna Cruz, had originally called 911.
On Monday Cruz and her 41-year-old boyfriend, Eyvar Rivera, were arrested on suspicion of child abuse. Cruz also faces an enhancement for causing great bodily injury.
Bear would not say how the boy sustained his injuries or if a weapon was used, over what period of time he was abused or describe his injuries. She did say, “He had multiple injuries on multiple parts of his body.”
Bear said officers responded to the apartment on March 11 for a security check on the boy after an extended family member reported he was possibly being abused.
“There were no visible signs of injury and the child did not substantiate claims that he had been abused,” Bear said.
The call was consequently closed but a report was forwarded to Child Protective Services, Bear said. She said she doesn’t know if they followed up.
Investigators are awaiting medical reports to determine if all of the child’s injuries were caused Sunday or if any of them were from previous abuse.
An 18-month old child, the daughter of both Cruz and Rivera, was removed from the home and is in the custody of CPS.
Rivera bailed out of jail on Tuesday but Cruz remains in custody on $150,000 bail.
Police ask anyone with information regarding this investigation to contact Detective Sean Dodge at 209-342-9123 or Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636.
Modesto police previously said Cruz was also charged with torture. That is not the case.
This story was originally published September 15, 2020 at 11:49 AM.
