MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX- The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office arrested two sisters accused of repeatedly abusing a 12-year-old girl over several months.
According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Brenda Garcia and Tania Garcia are facing multiple felony charges after investigators say the child was physically assaulted and restrained at a home on Goodman Road.
Detectives allege the abuse began in March, when the girl started living with the sisters. Investigators say the child endured severe beatings with belts, cords, and sticks, and was at times tied up, choked, and cut with scissors. Court records indicate that Brenda Garcia, the older sister, is also accused of taking nude photos of the victim and faces an additional charge of invasive visual recording. MCSO arrested the sisters October 3.
Brenda Mariana Garcia, 38, is charged with third-degree felony Injury to Child w/ Intentional Bodily Injury; state jail felony Unlawful Restraint Less Than 17 Years of Age; and state jail felony Invasive Visual Recording. Bond for the three charges was set at a total of $280,000.
Tania Evette Garcia, 37, is charged with third-degree felony Injury to a Child w/ Intentional Bodily Injury; and state jail felony Unlawful Restraint Less Than 17 Years of Age. Bond was set at a total of $200,000
Investigators said the girl managed to escape the home on September 30, suffering from a serious head wound and other visible injuries. She was taken to safety after being found nearby.
According to court documents, the child’s biological mother lives outside the United States, and the girl had previously been staying with an uncle in Houston. The victim told detectives that the uncle had been sexually assaulting her and that Brenda Garcia offered her a place to stay after learning of the situation.
When questioned by investigators, Brenda Garcia reportedly denied the allegations and claimed the child fabricated the story. Officials with Child Protective Services were also involved in the case. Authorities say Garcia had previously told CPS the child had returned to Honduras to live with her mother.
The investigation is ongoing.
