An El Paso County Sheriff’s Office investigation has led to multiple criminal charges against three employees who worked in a special education classroom at Deanna Davenport Elementary School in the Canutillo Independent School District.
A substitute teacher, a professional and special education teacher were arrested.
Investigators allege the incident occurred on May 6, inside a classroom at Deanna Davenport Elementary School in Canutillo.
The classroom serves students in a self-contained behavioral unit within the school’s special education program.
Court records allege a paraprofessional, 32-year-old Josue Urrutia, injured three separate students during incidents that occurred in 2025 and 2026.
Investigators say one student reported that Urrutia pulled her hair with enough force to cause pain in 2025. The affidavit states the allegation was corroborated by statements from the child’s mother, a written complaint submitted to the district, and prior reports involving similar allegations. The affidavit states the mother of the victim requested surveillance cameras be installed inside the classroom.
A second affidavit alleges surveillance footage recorded on May 5 showed Urrutia aggressively confronting a student inside the classroom.
Investigators claim Urrutia repeatedly yelled at the child, questioned whether the student was going to cry, told him to “be a man,” and eventually grabbed the student’s shirt and arms, causing pain and fear.
The affidavit states Urrutia asked the classroom, “Is the door closed?” and someone responded, “Yup.”
The affidavit states that Urrutia resumes yelling at the victim and accuses him of making him appear to be a bad person.
Urrutia grabs the victim by both arms and forcefully removes his hands from his pockets while yelling, ” Get your hands out of your pockets.”
A third complaint alleges Urrutia verbally berated a female student who has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, on May 6, threw classroom items from her desk, and acted in a manner that caused the child to suffer a scratch to her arm.
The court document states that Ruth Julieta Flores, the teacher of the classroom, told the victim she wasn’t completing her classwork correctly.
Urrutia then teased the student by saying “Ohhhh, you’re in trouble,” with the victim responding ” shut up”, according to the affidavit.
That is when Urrutia threw the classroom materials, the document stated.
Investigators said the student repeatedly apologized during the encounter and later reported being afraid.
The affidavits state that surveillance video from the classroom played a key role in the investigation. Investigators allege the footage captured Urrutia yelling at students in close proximity, physically grabbing students, and throwing classroom materials.
In addition to the charges against Urrutia, two other school employees have been accused of failing to report or stop the alleged conduct.
Ruth Julieta Flores, a teacher assigned to the classroom, was charged with Failure to Stop or Report Sexual or Assaultive Offense Against a Child, according to court records.
Investigators allege Flores witnessed one of the incidents involving a student and Urrutia but did not intervene, notify law enforcement, or report the conduct.
The affidavit further alleges that Flores later made disparaging remarks toward the student and did not express concern regarding Urrutia’s actions.
The substitute teacher, Cecilia Rocha-Lucero, 27, has been charged with failing to stop or report the alleged assault of a special education student after investigators said she witnessed the incident and took no action.
RELATED: Surveillance video prompts 3 arrests in Deanna Davenport special ed classroom probe
Canutillo Independent School District officials said in a previous statement that four individuals were terminated, even though only three were reported as arrested.
Three arrested after special education staff conduct probe at Davenport Elementary
KFOX14/CBS4 is working to learn more or clarify this information.
Canutillo ISD board president Sergio Martinez provided the following statement:
The charges filed against former Davenport Elementary School employees are deeply concerning. Our thoughts remain with the students and families affected by these incidents, and we want them to know that their well-being continues to be our highest priority.The Board of Trustees has asked Superintendent Dr. Josue Borrego and the district administration to continue providing all available support and resources to impacted students and families. We are committed to ensuring they receive the care and assistance they need during this difficult time.Because this remains an active criminal matter, it is important that the legal process be allowed to move forward while the district continues to cooperate fully with law enforcement and investigative agencies.The Board supports the administration’s ongoing review of district practices and procedures to identify opportunities for improvement. We also appreciate the actions taken by district administrators and the Canutillo ISD Police Department to promptly address the allegations when they were brought forward. Their swift response allowed authorities to begin their investigation quickly and pursue accountability through the appropriate legal channels.We remain focused on supporting our students, earning the trust of our families and ensuring that Canutillo ISD continues to provide a safe, supportive and caring learning environment for every child.
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