Deputies Say Couple Bit, Beat Children

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – An Austin-area couple had been arrested on felony child abuse charges. That’s after authorities said they found the couple’s three apparently malnourished children with broken bones and bite marks.

22-year-old Cesar Mojica and 21-year-old Sara Hernandez Amaya are in the Hays County Jail in San Marcos. Bail is set at $150,000 for the Dripping Springs-area couple. The children have been hospitalized.

Court records show the children had healed and partially healed fractures and bite marks. Records show two-year old Amber Amaya had eight to ten healed rib and femur fractures — and her body was covered with bite marks from children and adults.

Her twin brother, Cesar Mojica Junior, had numerous healing rib fractures, a femur fracture and other fractures in his legs and hands. His back was covered with bruises and bite marks.

3-year-old Angel Amaya told investigators bite marks on her body were from her father and that he had hit her with a stick.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) AP-NY-10-27-06 1310EDT