Police said 28-year-old Nykki Ritacco was arrested on a charge of injury to a child.
DEL RIO, Texas — A child abuse investigation that began at an elementary school has resulted in the arrest of a 28-year-old woman and the emergency placement of six children, according to the Del Rio Police Department.
Police said officers were called to Ceniza Hills Elementary School around 12:16 p.m. on Wednesday after a student reported possible physical abuse to a teacher. A San Felipe Del Rio CISD police officer relayed the outcry to Del Rio police, who then spoke with the student, investigators said.
According to Del Rio PD, the student told officers her younger sibling had been assaulted and had an injury to her back. Officers later interviewed the sibling, a 6-year-old girl who also attends the school, and she reported being assaulted by her mother.
Police said officers conducted a visual welfare check in the school nurse’s office and noticed the child’s back appeared to be covered with makeup. After the makeup was removed, officers observed a large bruise covering a significant portion of the child’s back, according to authorities.
Investigators collected interviews and statements at the scene. For safety reasons, both children were transported to the Del Rio Police Department, officials said.
Based on the investigation, officers obtained an arrest warrant for the children’s mother, identified as 28-year-old Nykki Ritacco, on a charge of injury to a child, according to Del Rio police.
Investigators said Ritacco was later found living in a storage shed in the 1100 block of West Garza Street with four additional children. She was arrested without incident, according to police.
Child Protective Services responded to assist with the emergency placement of six children ranging in age from 5 months to 8-years-old, police said.
According to the Del Rio Police Department, the victims were provided food and childcare at the police department while the investigation continued. A local physician also conducted medical evaluations of the children and recommended urgent medical care within 24 hours for the three youngest children.
Crime victim advocates from the Del Rio Police Department and the Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office also assisted with childcare, victim support and safe transportation of the children to temporary placements.