Goleta Woman Arrested for Child Abuse

Rocio Ochoa Silva, a 19-year-old mother from Goleta, has been arrested for abusing her six-week-old son, according to a report issued by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s office.

Early Wednesday morning, Sheriff’s deputies arrested Silva after Cottage Hospital filed a report of child abuse, as evidenced by the severe head trauma suffered by the infant.

The child was originally taken to Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital with seizures by Silva and her 31-year-old husband. The head trauma was so severe that after being transferred to S.B. Cottage Hospital, the victim was then sent to Los Angeles Children’s Hospital.

As the six-week-old undergoes treatment in L.A., his mother is being held without bail in the Santa Barbara City Jail on an immigration detainer. According to Drew Sugars, the Sheriff’s public information officer, the investigation is ongoing. Although detectives believe Silva did in fact cause the injuries, the father is not suspected of child abuse.

Sugars said the child is still alive as of Thursday afternoon.