Police say they have arrested a couple in Southern California in connection with an investigation pertaining to the torture and physically abuse of their five nieces and nephews placed in their care.
According to a press release, Jessica Salas-Ruiz, 26, and Fernando Inzunza, 36, were arrested by Rialto police last week for allegedly branding, strangling, and shooting with a pellet gun at the children in their care.
The Rialto Police Department reported that the five minors lived with the couple for four years, from 2017 to 2021, and were subjected to “various forms of physical abuse and torture, including branding, strangulation, and pellet gun shooting.”
At the time of the alleged abuse, their ages ranged from 11 to 17, FOX 11 in Los Angeles reported.
Cpl. Nic Parcher of the Rialto Police Department stated that the children relocated into the residence of a separate relative who disclosed the abuse in January. In August 2021, the Barstow Police Department also explored the abuse allegations.
Police stated that evidence in the case and physical scars on the kids validated their accounts.
Salas-Ruiz and Inzunza were booked into the West Valley Detention Center and charged with multiple counts of child abuse. In addition, Inzunza was accused of torture.
According to jail records, their bails were set at $750,000 and they were set to appear in Rancho Superior Court on May 31.
Salas-Ruiz did not appear in a search of jail records, but according to the police, her bail was also set at $750,000.
No additional information about the case, such as how the couple acquired custody of the children, was provided.
