Nueces County Sheriff’s deputy arrested, charged with injury to a child

A Nueces County Sheriff’s deputy was charged with injury to a 3-year-old child after the child reported the abuse to a school counselor, sparking an investigation.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A Nueces County Sheriff’s Office corporal was arrested Wednesday on a charge of injury to a child after investigators said a 3-year-old boy showed signs of physical abuse, according to a probable cause statement.

According to the probable cause statement, a detective with the Corpus Christi Police Department was assigned the case on Feb. 4 to investigate an allegation of injury to a child involving a 3-year-old male.

The probable cause statement says the child reported to a school counselor, the Driscoll Care Team and his mother that he had been hit by the offender. The document says the child showed bruising underneath his eyes, on his neck and on his chest.

According to the statement, investigators reviewed statements from the Driscoll Care Team and conducted an interview with Joel Villasenor. The probable cause statement says the injuries and statements were consistent with the charge of injury to a child.

The document says Villasenor admitted during an interview with CCPD detectives that he recklessly injured the child, causing bodily injury to the child’s neck and chest.

According to the probable cause statement, Villasenor was arrested on a charge of injury to a child and transported to the City Detention Center.

Jail records show Villasenor was booked into the Nueces County Jail on Feb. 4 and charged with injury to a child with intent to cause bodily injury, a third-degree felony. Records show his bond was set at $25,000 and that he has since been released.

Villasenor was off duty at the time of the incident, which occurred at his residence, according to Natalie Williams, Public Liaison for the Nueces County Sheriff’s Office. Williams said Villasenor held the rank of corporal at the time of his arrest and has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the completion of an internal affairs investigation, which she said is standard procedure. Williams said the criminal case is being handled by the Corpus Christi Police Department and that all questions regarding the case should be directed to CCPD.