Foster Mom Charged With Assault Of 4-Year-Old; Boy In Coma Due To Critical Injury

A California woman has been charged with assault of a child in her care for beating her 4-year-old foster son. The boy reportedly still remains in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

Gabriela Casarez, 26, of Norwalk has been charged with two counts of child abuse and one count of assault on a child leading to coma or paralysis. Firefighters were called to the 14700 block of Pioneer Boulevard on a medical call on Oct. 28.

Upon arrival, the firemen found the 4-year-old severely injured and rushed him to a hospital. The hospital staff treating the boy suspected the injuries were caused by abuse and notified authorities.

Casarez was arrested on Oct. 29 and is being held at the Los Angeles County Jail with a $1.2 million bail. She pleaded not guilty Friday to the three felony charges and is due back in court on Dec. 6, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The alleged abuse happened at Casarez’s residence between June 4 and Oct. 28. According to Sheriff’s Lt. John Adams, Casarez used "bodily force" against the boy, East Bay Times reported.

Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) notified the boy’s family on Oct. 28 about his hospitalization and critical injury. It is unclear how the boy came to stay with Casarez and how long he has been with her.

The boy’s biological mother’s family said they are struggling to get information on what occurred. "No kid deserves this under anybody's care," said Maria Jacinto, the victim's aunt, to KNBC. "If you were invested in these kids or looked out for these kids, this wouldn't happen."

Jacinto said the boy had been in a coma for a week after the brutal beating left him with critical injuries.

Michael Alder, the attorney representing the boy’s family, said that they are trying to file a complaint against the DCFS. He said the social worker assigned to the boy failed him by allowing the foster mother to abuse him.

"There's clear evidence he was tortured and beaten into a coma," Alder said to the outlet.

The DCFS said in a statement that it "thoroughly investigates allegations of caretaker abuse and neglect and, when appropriate, works closely with law enforcement to ensure children remain safe and that substantiated allegations are swiftly addressed in a court of law."

The victim's family said that they don’t have guardianship over the boy and are not allowed to have access to the boy during his stay at the hospital. The victim also has a younger brother in the system with whom the family hasn’t had contact since they lost both the children in April.

The LA County Sheriff's department's special victims unit is investigating the incident.