SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) engineer, identified as 45-year-old Torres, has been placed on administrative duty following her arrest on child endangerment charges. The allegations stem from an incident in which she reportedly left her 12-year-old daughter, who has autism, in a distressing and unsanitary living environment.
According to court records, Torres faces a state jail felony charge. A Bexar County judge has set her bond at $30,000. Following her booking into the Bexar County Adult Detention Center on a Saturday afternoon, she was released shortly after midnight on Sunday.
Welfare Check Initiates Investigation
The investigation began on March 27 when a City of San Antonio Code Enforcement employee requested a welfare check after noticing a deceased dog in the driveway of a home located in the 4600 block of Spotted Oak Woods, an area near Interstate 10 and Loop 1604. The employee observed a strong odor emanating from the residence and multiple Amazon packages stacked at the doorstep.
Upon arrival, officers noted two SAFD firefighters exiting the home, who reported seeing the young girl alone in the house, unclothed and in a disheveled state, which raised immediate concerns for her safety.
Concerning Findings
The 12-year-old reportedly informed officers that she had not attended school for two consecutive days. In an attempt to reach her mother, the girl dialed Torres’s cellphone but received no response.
After a brief wait, Torres returned home driving a black SUV. Dressed in a uniform familiar to the officers, she was informed of the welfare check and the police’s concerns regarding her daughter. Despite the situation, Torres attempted to record the interaction on her phone and declined to cooperate with the officers’ inquiries.
Conditions Inside the Home
Following the initial encounter, authorities executed a search warrant to inspect the home. Officers described the living conditions as deplorable, with the child’s room cluttered with garbage and animal waste. Reports indicated that pet feces were found in multiple rooms, and the overall state of the home was characterized as chaotic and unsanitary.
The kitchen was deemed non-functional, lacking edible food and having a broken refrigerator. Responding officers noted that the 12-year-old appeared accustomed to her surroundings, shrugging when asked how she managed to sleep in such conditions.
Following the investigation, Child Protective Services (CPS) was contacted to assess the situation and interview the child.
Next Steps for Torres
As the legal proceedings unfold, Torres is expected to make her next court appearance on June 4. The case highlights critical issues regarding child welfare and the responsibilities of caregivers, prompting ongoing discussions about the resources available for families in need.
