Santa Fe man faces over 60 counts of child abuse for allegedly smothering, beating 2 young kids
09/12/2023 1:09 pm PDT
SANTA FE, N.M. (TCD) -- A 24-year-old man is facing dozens of child and animal abuse charges for allegedly injuring two young children, including a 3-year-old girl, and recording some of the abuse on his phone.
According to Santa Fe Police, on Aug. 17, officers opened an investigation after receiving information about possible child abuse involving two juveniles. Police arrested Irving Ocana-Escalante and initially charged him with five counts of child abuse, but then increased the number of charges as the investigation progressed.
Now, Ocana-Escalante is being charged with 63 counts of abuse of a child — tortured, cruelly confined, or cruelly punished, one count of sexual exploitation of children, and six counts of cruelty to animals. The victims were both younger than 6 years old. Court records show the alleged abuse occurred between June 12 and August 17.
The animal abuse-related charges relate to "negligently mistreating, injuring, killing without lawful justification, or tormenting an animal."
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the alleged abuse reportedly began when the children, a girl and a boy, moved in with their mother. Court documents cited by the Santa Fe New Mexican allege Ocana-Escalante slapped, punched, kicked, and smothered the two victims. He reportedly used tacks to pin the girl’s skin and hit her so hard she flew across the room.
The girl’s mother reportedly discovered videos on Ocana-Escalante’s phone showing the abuse, then recorded the clips and showed them to police.
Santa Fe County jail records show Ocana-Escalante is being held without bond.
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