A Texas couple accused of multiple acts of “heinous” child abuse against their three adopted children, were, ironically, members of a biker advocacy group that strives to empower child abuse victims.
On Tuesday, Round Rock couple Shirley and Daniel Rodriguez, both 42, were charged with numerous counts of physical and sexual abuse against their three adopted children who were ages 15, 13, and 11 at the time the alleged offenses were committed. Police described these purported acts as “heinous and outrageous cases of child abuse.”
Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody confirmed to local media that the pair belonged to the Williamson County chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse which says it “exists with the intent to create a safer environment for abused children.” Reportedly, the group has not issued any statement regarding this situation.
Shirley Rodriguez faces 13 counts and Daniel Rodriguez, 10 counts, of charges including indecency with a child, injury to a child, aggravated assault, and continuous violence against a child. Daniel is also the children’s uncle. Originally, the couple was arrested and booked into the Williamson County Jail on July 18. Then, they were only charged with two counts of indecency with a child.
All of the charges stemmed from a 2017 arrest warrant. In it, then 15-year-old minor identified as “RR” told police on October 15, 2017, Shirley touched the child inappropriately while both of them were naked in the shower, according to KVUE. The affidavit indicated that while Shirley did this, her husband stood in the bathroom in a revealing manner and stared at his wife and the minor.
In 2017, the pair allegedly committed similar acts against the other children aged 13 and 11, according to KVUE. Court documents revealed the 11-year-0ld victim identified as “ER” told authorities Daniel watched him and Shirley in the shower by “video call on many occasions.” The 13-year-old alleged Shirley repeatedly assaulted, withheld food, and force-fed them.
The youngsters told police Shirley struck them in their faces, purportedly knocking them to the ground. Police said the children identified as “SR” and “ER” now suffer with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Shirley also stands accused of throwing a knife at one of the children on September 24, 2017.
Surveillance video from the Rodriguez home security system recorded several months of the alleged abuses. Footage from October 10, 2017, showed Daniel hitting “SR” in the face as he walked by the child, causing her head to snap back. The victim told police her adoptive father’s purported physical assaults caused her pain, according to the affidavit.
In October, the children were removed from the Rodriguez home. They remain in foster care. Reportedly, Shirley and Daniel Rodriguez relinquished their parental rights.
Previously, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services received child abuse and neglect reports about Shirley and Daniel Rodriguez, according to the Austin American-Statesman. However, the state agency “ruled it out” because of a lack of physical evidence such as bruising or malnutrition. Then, a referral received on August 29, 2017, alleged that one of the children appeared malnourished. CPS reopened their investigation. The child, weighed at school, had lost weight. A court document stated this same child came to school in October with a bruise over one of her eyes and two gashes in her head.
On Tuesday, bail for Shirley Rodriguez was set at $1.82 million and for Daniel Rodriguez, at $1.45 million.
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