Three Canutillo ISD Employees Charged Following Investigation Into Special Education Classroom
EL PASO, Texas — Three employees assigned to a special education behavioral intervention classroom at Deanna Davenport Elementary School have been charged following an investigation by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit.
The investigation, conducted with assistance from the Canutillo Independent School District Police Department, began after school administrators reported surveillance video showing concerning interactions between school staff and students.
According to the sheriff’s office, detectives reviewed video footage, conducted interviews and gathered additional evidence during the investigation.
Investigators determined that several students assigned to the classroom were allegedly subjected to assaultive conduct and other inappropriate treatment while under the supervision of school employees.
As a result of the investigation, 32-year-old paraprofessional Josue Urrutia was charged with three counts of Injury to a Child/Disabled Individual. His bond was set at $25,000 for each count, totaling $75,000.
Authorities also charged 59-year-old special education teacher Ruth Julieta Flores with two counts of Failure to Stop or Report a Sexual or Assaultive Offense Against a Child. Bond was set at $20,000 for each count, totaling $40,000.
Substitute teacher Cecilia Rocha-Lucero, 27, was charged with one count of Failure to Stop or Report a Sexual or Assaultive Offense Against a Child. Her bond was set at $20,000.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains ongoing and that additional charges could be filed as new information becomes available.
