Tag: 17953346

LIBERTY COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — The three children who nearly drowned in their family pond a week ago are now all in temporary state custody, as another twist in this case has ensnarled a local police officer.

It was a week ago that authorities say Domingo Quintana called 911 to report that his wife may have tried to harm their three children. All three children and their mother survived the near-drowning on the family’s 300-acre property. But since then, nothing about this case has been simple.

The children’s mother is still in the hospital. She appeared via Zoom while Quintana appeared in person during a hearing on Monday that was closed to the media. After several hours, it was determined that the State of Texas would have temporary custody of the children, who were placed with relatives.

Meanwhile, in an unexpected twist, a Lieutenant with the City of Liberty Police Department was placed on leave. The police department and the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office confirm that Lt. Ramiro Lozano is currently being investigated by the Texas Rangers in connection with this case.

Authorities confirm that while Quintana was in jail for an unrelated animal cruelty charge, Lozano went and visited him in the Liberty County Jail. After Quintana bonded out, it was Lt. Lozano who waited outside the jail and drove the father home. Liberty County Sheriff’s Office says it does not know if Lozano provided Quintana any financial assistance.

All the information has been turned over to the Texas Rangers for an investigation.

Currently, nobody has been charged.

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