Raul and Tricia Varela torture daughter in potty-training war

[Unamused Cat]

Raul Varela and Tricia Varela

Goodyear's engineering director and his wife were arrested Tuesday on suspicion of child abuse stemming from a potty-training "war" with their 4-year-old daughter, police said.

Raul Varela, 40, and Tricia Varela, 39, were arrested Tuesday and booked on one count of felony child abuse each.

About 12:30 a.m. Tuesday,Tricia Varela took her 4-year-old daughter to the emergency room at West Valley Hospital in Goodyear for abdominal pain, according to a Goodyear police report. Hospital staff discovered severe bruising on her legs, arms, upper and lower back, abdomen and head, as well as what appeared to be a broken arm.

Deemed to be in critical condition, the girl was taken to Maricopa Medical Center's Pediatric Unit about 5:45 a.m., the report states.

Further examinations revealed the girl had abdominal bruising on both sides of her body extending to her lower back. She also had two broken legs and a fracture to her upper right arm, the report shows. Doctors determined the bruising on the back of her knee, inside and outside of both thighs and back were consistent with blunt force. She had to be medically sedated due to the pain and her "deteriorating condition," according to the report.

Raul and Tricia Varela admitted they had caused the girl's injuries on Saturday during a "war" to get her to go to the bathroom, the report states. The Varelas said they forced her on the toilet by restraining her with her hands held behind her back, pushing on her stomach, back and legs, and pushing her head down between her legs.

Raul Varela told police he and his wife often force the girl on the toilet for "hours on end" because it's the only way they can get her to comply, according to the report. He said he was aware doing so causes visible injury and knew she was hurt Saturday but did not get her medical attention.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articl...se0430-ON.html

[Kalehue]

OMG. This is unbelievable. For them to even describe it as a "war" with their 4-year old. How is it possible that two grown adults, who are definitely old enough to know better, even think it's remotely okay to treat a child like this?

Just goes to show it's not a problem unique to young parents, single moms with the penis de jour, drug-addicts, under-educated, or lower socio-economic families. I hope this poor baby heals completely.

[Kalehue]

The Varelas brought her to the hospital early Tuesday because they thought she was constipated.

The girl has since been upgraded to stable condition, Goodyear police spokesman John Rowan said.

Police seized a leather shoe, flip flop and several kitchen spatulas from the Varelas' Goodyear home - items Tricia Varela said she used to strike the girl, according to the report.

There were six children living with the couple: Two biological sons, ages 7 and 9; and four adopted daughters, ages 2 to 8, including the victim.

Child Protective Services has removed the children from the home and will assume care of the 4-year-old when she is released from the hospital.

I just can't believe this. They took the child to the hospital because they thought she was constipated? What about the brusing and broken bones?

And I can't believe these parents who adopt child and abuse them. No one is forcing you to take those children! If you can't provide them with a good and loving home, don't adopt them.

[AussieMum]

And they wonder why she doesn't like to go the toilet!!!!! For christ sake!!! She was probably petrified of the damn toilet and knowing how badly she would be beaten.

And I seriously can't beleive these idiots took her to the hospital because they thought she was constipated!!!!!

[Jaded]

Great story, UCat!

This post is locked down for a few days while the front-paged story runs for a bit. Feel free to get a discussion going up front.....

http://www.dreamindemon.com/2009/05/...-training-war/

[Jaded]

Post unlocked.

[ineedanap]

I can't even put together a sentence about this story. I am pt'ing my 3 yo right now and she's doing great. But even if she weren't I wouldn't break her damn legs! My heart breaks for this sweet baby. She will probably have potty issues the rest of her life.

[seductress]

Ever consider that if she's not potty training, take her to the doctor to make certain she has no medical issues.

[Silvahalo]

I had a hell of a time potty training my son. He was one of those "with-holders" of poop and when he finally went it sure wasn't pretty. He liked hiding it and using it as paint on carpet and walls, something out of "Lord of the flies", but it wasn't mud....lol. I thought I would never see the light at the end of the tunnel. The pediatrician said, just make sure to not push the issue as to cause anxiety or trauma of some kind. Its an experience I hope to not repeat with his younger brother. I would say these fuckers failed miserably in that respect of training, it was certainly traumatizing.

A simple rule I kept in mind while PT my son, treat him as I would want to be treated myself. Do unto others folks? not that hard but seems to escape so many. What complete loser, pathetic excuse for parents.

I hope this poor child gets past this trauma...I know successful potty training will yet take some time. Heal little one completely.

[Morgana]

Poor child! So many parents go ape shit when potty training....dumb fucks, if you make the bathroom a bad place, they will never ever want to go!!!!

My daughter was constipated last week, when it came out, it hurt her. She decided to not go anymore poopeys or pee pees because it hurt that one time. Then she went on a food and liquid strike after realizing it makes you use the bathroom...she fought us for 3 days, I stayed home from work even the last day! She would hold it so long, she would cry but boy, she could fucking hold it!!!! Never have I seen a girl hold it so long! I was so worried about infection, I made an appt with the doc, but I made her wash her hands in very warm water that made her instantly go! She was mad at me....! Then I faked her out and said I was giving her medicine to make it not hurt anymore, numb the pee pees and she thought she got medicine and immediately started going screaming, hey it doesn't hurt, thanks! All mental. All drama. All the time......................:)

[ImmortalOne]

Hmmm I found that with my Itty Bit M&M's work well.... I guess they were too poor to afford some reward system for a function the child needed to learn without being petrified. They are going to be lucky if that child isn't afraid of the toilet.

[Tazzzz]

Poor little thing is still in the hospital. How sad , that any parents would go this far to make a child use the toilet.

A 4-year-old Goodyear girl is still in the hospital nearly three weeks after her parents reportedly used blunt force during a potty-training "war," officials said.

Raul Varela, 40, Goodyear's engineering director, and his wife, Tricia Varela, 39, were arrested and booked on one count each of felony child abuse on April 28. They have been released until their preliminary hearing Tuesday. They are not allowed to have unsupervised contact with anyone younger than 18, court records state.

About 12:30 a.m. April 28, Tricia Varela took her daughter to the emergency room at West Valley Hospital in Goodyear for abdominal pain, according to a Goodyear police report. Hospital staff discovered severe bruising on her legs, arms, upper and lower back, abdomen and head, as well as what appeared to be a broken arm

Deemed to be in critical condition, the girl was taken to Maricopa Medical Center's Pediatric Unit in Phoenix about 5:45 a.m., the report states. Doctors immediately suspected child abuse based on the nature and extent of her injuries, according to the report. The girl had abdominal bruising on both sides of her body extending to her lower back, two broken legs and a fracture to her upper right arm, the report shows.

Doctors determined the bruising on the back of her knee, inside and outside of both thighs and back were consistent with blunt force. She had to be medically sedated due to the pain and her "deteriorating condition," according to the report.

Child Protective Services removed the children from the home and will assume care of the 4-year-old when she is released from the hospital.

She is in stable condition at Maricopa Medical Center. Police are still investigating the case and waiting for medical reports on the girl's injuries.

Raul Varela was hired as Goodyear's engineering director in September 2006, after passing a routine background check. He is on paid administrative leave.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/s...te0515-ON.html

[Marv]

Holy shit, WTF is wrong with these parents? My 2yr old sometimes 'forgets' to ask for the toilet when she is busy playing outside. Guess what? I DONT beat her to a pulp and break her frikken bones!

I tell her Im not happy with what she did, remind her to come and tell me she needs 'to go', and change her clothes! Easy.

I really hope these fuckwits didnt use their patented 'Potty training for abusive fucktards' methods with their other kids.

[Kalehue]

Raul Varela was hired as Goodyear's engineering director in September 2006, after passing a routine background check. He is on paid administrative leave.

Paid vacation for beating your child half to death? He should be sitting behind bars.

Thanks for the update, Tazzzz. I can't believe that poor baby is still hospitalized. These people make me ill.

[buggysmommy]

These motherfuckers act like they weren't babies once and didn't need to be potty trained. This is the same shit with little Imani Jennings.

Do you fucking pieces of shit think you came here potty trained? You need to ask your mama and daddy how difficult it was foryou to train. I bet all you motherfuckers were bedwetters until you were like 10 or older. I think they all should be cursed with small bladder so they can't make it to the pot in time and then force them to run around all pissy. Maybe someone will beat their asses relentlessly...Fuckers...

Heal baby and take your time...At least where you are now will insure your safety and well being. I bet you are wearing diapers now too, cause you can't do much else. That's okay too-piss those diapers all you want!

[Dakota Valkyrie]

A former Goodyear official and his wife have been indicted on multiple counts of child abuse in connection with potty training their adopted 4-year-old daughter.

Raul Varela, the city's previous engineering director, faces two counts of child abuse and Tricia Varela, faces four counts, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office announced Friday.

Goodyear police arrested the couple Friday in connection with the charges, which a grand jury handed down Wednesday.

Raul Varela, 40, and Tricia, 39, both of Goodyear, were first arrested in April but later released while police investigated further at the request of the County Attorney's Office.

Goodyear fired Raul Varela from his $121,000-a-year job early this month after nearly three years with the city. He had been on paid leave since the initial arrest.
[...]

The girl has since been released from the hospital to the care of Child Protective Services.

There were six children living with the Varelas at the time: two biological sons, ages 7 and 9; and four adopted daughters, ages 2 to 8, including the victim. They are also in the care of CPS.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articl...nt0626-ON.html

[Aena]

The former Goodyear engineer director and his wife will face a new trial this summer for allegations they abused their 4-year-old adopted daughter after jurors were unable to reach a verdict in the first trial.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Connie Contes scheduled the new trial for Raul and Tricia Varela for June 25, according to court records.

The jury couldn't agree on a verdict Thursday for five of the six counts in the 14-day trial following more than 14 hours of deliberations over four days, records show. Tricia Varela was found not guilty of intentional child abuse but guilty of reckless child abuse, a domestic violence offense. The judge declared a mistrial on the remaining five child abuse counts, two of which were for Raul Varela, 43, and three for Tricia Varela, 42.



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