SAN JACINTO: Woman charged with attempted murder for “severe and extensive” abuse of child
SAN JACINTO — After a nearly two-week investigation into the alleged abuse of a 4-year-old boy, authorities arrested a mother, accused of attempting to murder her child. The alleged abuse happened in the 400 block of Main Street, near S. San Jacinto Ave, in San Jacinto.
Authorities arrested Jasmine Lopez for the alleged “severe and extensive” abuse of a 4-year-old child, Aug. 22.
Based on forensic evidence, doctors and investigators determined the extent of abuse was “serious and extensive,” Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Robert Duckett explained in a written press release after the investigation and arrest.
After the investigation, officials arrested Jasmine Lucia Lopez, 22, of San Jacinto. She was booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning on suspicion of attempted murder, felony child abuse/willful harm of a child and assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm.
She remains in custody, held on $1 million bail and is scheduled to be arraigned at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta Aug. 24.
The investigation began Aug. 9, when deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s San Jacinto Police Station responded to the residence after receiving information about the ongoing, severe abuse of a young child at the home.
When deputies arrived, they found two children, a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old, living at the location. Based on their initial investigation officials determined the 4-year-old boy was the victim of possible abuse by the mother.
Based on the circumstances and signs of “severe” and ongoing abuse, deputies removed the two children from the residence. Both were turned over to Child Protective Services.
After the children had been placed into protective custody, a forensic examination was scheduled for the young victim. During the exam, officials learned Lopez had allegedly been physically assaulting the child as a form of punishment.
Officials did not specify the nature of abuse or the extent of the child’s injuries.
After learning of the forensic evidence, on Aug. 22, thirteen days after the investigation began, officials arrested Lopez at the Hemet Sheriff’s Station on Acacia Avenue and later booked her into jail.
Anyone with information about incidents of abuse related to this investigation are encouraged to call Investigator Fransik at the Hemet Sheriff’s Station (951) 791-3400. Callers can refer to incident file number I172210051 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s Homicide Tipline online form.
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Trevor Montgomery runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook and also writes for Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.
Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg and breaking his back in an off-duty accident.
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 26 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and has 13 children and 13 – soon to be 14 – grandchildren.