A foster mother severely abused two children who were in her care for a very long period of time, according to police in New Mexico.
Farmington police said that they have arrested 53-year-old Hope Graciano after being accused of using a bed frame to beat a young boy for incorrectly answering math questions. Graciano was charged with first-degree and third-degree child abuse and third-degree intimidation of a witness.She was booked into the San Juan County Adult Detention Center and her bail has been set at $25,000. According to the police investigation, Graciano adopted an 11-year-old boy and an 8-year-old girl. She then began abusing them. The abuse came to light after Graciano brought the boy to the San Juan Regional Medical Center.The boy suffered serious injuries all over his body. Graciano forced the boy to say that he was injured while playing soccer.She told doctors that the boy tripped over his shoelaces and fell onto train tracks.
However, the injuries were inconsistent with the story.The doctors called the police to investigate the mother for child abuse. Graciano then told the boy that she would kill him if he told the truth.
When police arrived at the hospital, the boy motioned to the officers.
The boy was taken aside and he told officers that Graciano hit him with a bed frame because he answered some math questions incorrectly.The boy was transferred to the University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital for further treatment.The boy later told police that Graciano forced his 8-year-old sister to do planks.When the girl refused, Graciano grabbed her by the hair and dragged her on the ground.
In another incident, when the girl pooped in her pants, Graciano forced her to eat it.The boy further revealed that Graciano once forced him to eat jalapenos.When he threw up, Graciano forced him to eat the vomit.
Graciano denied all the allegations.