POLK COUNTY, Texas — Two people have been arrested after a junior high student reported being physically assaulted, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
The investigation began May 6 when staff at Big Sandy ISD contacted deputies after noticing multiple facial and bodily injuries on a female student.
Deputies responded to the school and were told staff suspected possible physical abuse. During the investigation, the student reported that her stepfather, 35-year-old Tito Samuel Reyes, had assaulted her at their home the previous evening.
Captain Craig Finegan, along with a Child Protective Services investigator, interviewed school staff before the child was taken to Childrenz Haven for a forensic interview.
Based on information obtained, detectives secured a search warrant for the family residence, where authorities said they located evidence consistent with the allegations.
Tito Reyes was arrested at the home and charged with injury to a child causing bodily injury, a third-degree felony.
Investigators later obtained a warrant for the child’s biological mother, 29-year-old Johannah Elaine Reyes, who authorities said was present during the alleged abuse. She was taken into custody the following morning at the sheriff’s office and faces the same charge.
Sheriff Lyons said the case highlights the importance of collaboration among agencies, including Child Protective Services, Childrenz Haven and the Polk County District Attorney’s Office, in addressing child abuse cases.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be filed. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at 936-329-9028.
