Foley woman charged with felony torture of child

By Jessica Vaughn / jessica@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 9/13/17

FOLEY – A Foley woman was arrested Tuesday night, September 12, on charges of abuse of her 6-year-old son, police officials say.

Foley Police responded to a call from Foley Elementary staff, who …

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Foley woman charged with felony torture of child

Posted

FOLEY – A Foley woman was arrested Tuesday night, September 12, on charges of abuse of her 6-year-old son, police officials say.

Foley Police responded to a call from Foley Elementary staff, who were concerned by the absence of one of their young students who had previously known issues at home. Upon investigation, police arrested 26-year-old Maria Cortes, who had willingly abused her child for lying.

Deputy Chief Thurston Bullock says Cortes became upset after her son lied to her, and she proceeded to punish him by heating up a spoon on the stove in her home before pressing it to the child’s lips. The incident occurred on Friday, September 8, and the child suffered 3rd degree burns.

Cortes neglected to take her son to the hospital and then kept him home from school come Monday morning, out of fear of drawing attention to the injury by school workers.

“She kept the child home and didn’t get him medical attention, because she knew she would be in some trouble,” said Bullock.

When the child did not show up to school on Monday, and after receiving a tip from an unnamed source that something sinister was occurring in the Cortes home, the school faculty contacted the police. Upon investigation, the child’s injuries led to probable cause to arrest Cortes, say police.

The investigation further uncovered that Cortes is an undocumented immigrant.

“Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement has a plan in place in case she bonds out,” Bullock says.

The injured child, along with his 3 siblings, are all now in the custody of their father. Cortes is charged with felony torture or willful abuse of a child under 18, and has a current bond listed at $10,000 with an immigration hold.