New documents shed light on Salinas deadly child abuse case

New documents are shedding light on the child abuse case that Salinas Police call the worst in city history. Tami Huntsman, 40, and Gonzalo Curiel, 18, are accused of murder, child abuse and torture. Prosecutors said they killed Delylah, 3, and Shaun Tara, 6, and abused their 9-year-old sister.

After this case, state investigators were tasked with looking at the Department of Social Services policies, while the department examined its role. On Wednesday, the release of those two highly anticipated reports.

The 135-page Monterey County case files include disturbing accusations of abuse that include zip-tying a child to a bed and cockroach and lice infestations. It details the history of referrals, including social workers’ observations, like cluttered housing. It also discussed interviews with the children and noted injuries like scratches to their faces and faint bruises.

According to Monterey County Department of Social Services Director Elliott Robinson, there was originally believed to be four referrals to the Huntsman household, the most recent was Aug. 2015. However, this review has turned up the discovery of a fifth referral that was never acted upon because social workers believed it was a duplicate report.

“We should have had staff do their best to follow through with that, and that didn’t occur. It had the issues of general neglect, the issues of lice, and it had the issues of the child potentially being tied up,” said Robinson.

Police responded to the home but Robinson said they weren’t allowed in. He calls the discovery ‘a bitter pill,’ but doesn’t know if it would have made a difference.

“The problem is when I say I don’t know what difference it would have made that means it might have made a difference but what we do know is that at the same time you know even law enforcement was refused entry,” Robinson said.

The county document also includes references dating as far back at 2006 out of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, before the children came to live with Huntsman. The document cites an extensive history of referrals and neglect allegations, some that involved their biological mother.

The other document is the official state review of Monterey County Department of Social Services’ handling of what they call ‘the critical incident.’ Robinson admits his department is understaffed and is dealing with a large caseload in a county filled with children living in poverty and in overcrowded houses. He calls the case “shocking.”

“Everyone deserves their day in court,” Robinson said. “But that such horrible events can occur and people can actively work to hide it from folks who are investigating, for folks who are talking to children, who are looking for marks, for signs, that people can mistreat children that way, that people can murder children, is absolutely shocking.”

Monterey County has agreed to make changes within 30 days. Some changes include making an immediate correction to its intake and screening process. The department is also in the process of hiring more social workers, to help offset the heavy workload and look into a warrant process.

“It’s something that really gives social workers a stronger tool to work with families when they are being evasive or refusing access to the children, which under law they can unless we have a warrant,” said Robinson.

KION also reached out to the Salinas Police Department regarding the investigation. The department said it is continuing to work with the District Attorney’s Office and there is quite a bit of work left to do.