Couple indicted in child abuse case

PORT CLINTON — A couple from Port Clinton were recently indicted on multiple charges for their roles in allegedly abusing an infant. Gloria S. Riley, 19, of the 300 block of Superior St., was indicted by an Ottawa County grand jury in October on the following charges: • Four counts of endangering children, each a third-degree felony • Four counts of permitting child abuse, each a third-degree felony • Two counts of tampering with evidence, each a third-degree felony • Two counts of obstructing justice, each a third-degree felony Riley's boyfriend, Isaiah G. Garcia, 21, of the 200 block of Buckeye Blvd., was indicted on the following charges: • Eight counts of endangering children, both second and third-degree felonies • Three counts of felonious assault, each a second-degree felony • Three counts of domestic violence, each a first-degree misdemeanor • Two counts of tampering with evidence, each a third-degree felony On Oct. 3, an agent from the Ottawa County prosecutor's office major crimes unit along with a Port Clinton police detective responded to a Toledo-area hospital about an infant who had serious injuries, according to a report from the Ottawa County prosecutor's office. The police were notified about the case by Ottawa County Job and Family Services. The reports redact the victim's name but identify him as a 5-month-old child whose parents are the suspects. Once law enforcement arrived at the hospital, social workers said that the 5-month-old boy was brought into the hospital by Riley due to her claiming that the child was lethargic and not eating. Riley also allegedly told social workers that there were bruises on the baby's head, the report states. Afterward, police spoke with hospital staff who said they found the following injuries on the baby during the initial observation, according to the report: • A bruise on the child's head • Blood blotches in the child's eyes • Red swollen marks on the back of the child's neck • The baby's head was three times the size it was supposed to be When questioned by police, Riley said that she worked the day shift from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day. She told police that the baby was left in Garcia's care, and, when she got home from work, the baby was sitting inside its swing, the report states. Based on initial police findings, subpoenas were issued for the baby's medical records and a search warrant was issued for the couple's home and all electronic devices. The following day, Garcia was found at a close family member's residence. When police spoke with him, Garcia allegedly admitted to hitting the child and was ultimately arrested and booked into the Ottawa County Jail on a single charge of child endangerment. On Oct. 16, Riley was arrested and booked into the Ottawa County Jail. As of late Tuesday, Riley and Garcia are still at the Ottawa County Jail. According to Ottawa County court records, Riley doesn't appear to have a bond, while Garcia has a bond of $500,000. Riley's next court hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 13, and Garcia's is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on the same day.