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TAYLORSVILLE — Employees at a Taylorsville restaurant expressed concern about a family that appeared to be in distress, which led to the arrest of a homeless man Tuesday who police say was abusing a woman's two children.
It was later announced that the mother of the two boys had also been arrested,
Rodolfo Martinez-Avila, 36, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of aggravated child abuse, child abuse, possession of drug paraphernalia and intoxication. Azucena Rodriguez, 23, was arrested for investigation of two counts of aggravated child abuse and child endangerment.
Taylorsville police were called to Burger King, 3975 W. 4700 South, Tuesday by concerned employees who said a family "appeared to be homeless and in need of assistance," according to a police booking affidavit. "Specifically, an employee told dispatch the 4-year-old child appeared to be malnourished and requesting help from staff."
When officers arrived, they found Martinez-Avila "sitting at the table, face down, with drool running out of his mouth," the affidavit states.
A 4-year-old boy had dried blood in his nostrils. Rodriguez and a second child — a girl approximately 6 months old — were also there.
"(Martinez-Avila) seemed confused by simple commands and statements, made continuous rapid movements and fidgets, and generally seemed unable to clearly articulate himself," police noted in the affidavit.
When paramedics asked the 4-year-old if he had any injuries, the boy nodded "yes" and raised his shirt to show bruises on this chest, the affidavit says.
"The 4-year-old and 6-month-old were taken into the back of an ambulance. Officers documented numerous injuries on the 4-year-old, including bruising on both arms, his torso, and his back, a scratch on his stomach, and the aforementioned bloody nose. The 6-month-old appeared to be malnourished and had possible injuries," the arrest report states.
"When asked who had caused his injuries, the 4-year-old said he was hurt by (Martinez-Avila)," according to the affidavit.
Both children were taken to Primary Children's Hospital for further examination.
"At the hospital it was found (the 6-month-old girl) had fractured ribs that were in the process of healing among other injuries observed to include the numerous amounts of bruises. Detectives were informed the injuries were consistent with squeezing the child to the point the ribs broke. Detectives were also informed both children had signs of consistent and long-term abuse," a police booking affidavit for Rodriguez states.
Rodriguez told police she had been dating Martinez-Avila about two months and said he is not the father of either child and that the birth father is no longer in their lives. She said she had witnessed Martinez-Avila squeeze her daughter "so hard she felt she was going to black out" and also hit her son when he cries to "punish" him and "hits him hard enough to leave bruises," the affidavit say.
She allegedly told police she does not try to stop Martinez-Avila because he threatens her.
"The female also told officers the family was homeless. Restaurant employees told officers they have seen the family before and try to give them free food because they are concerned about the children's wellness," the affidavit states.
Police noted that Rodriguez "has other locations to live and stay but she declines to go there."
While being questioned by officers, Martinez-Avila eventually claimed he had grabbed the 4-year-old boy by both arms that day, as well as admitting to using meth the day before, according to police. Police say Martinez-Avila was deported several years ago and has since illegally returned to the United States.
Rodriguez also allegedly admitted to smoking meth "regularly," her affidavit states. Police were later informed by medical crews helping with the case that her daughter "shows signs of methamphetamine withdrawal."
Contributing: Garna Mejia
