A Guadalupe County father is behind bars after deputies say he struck and tried to strangle his 12-year-old son on Saturday. Authorities identified the suspect as 34-year-old Larry Vela, who remains in the county jail on a combined $200,000 bond.
According to News 4 San Antonio, the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office alleges that Vela hit the child multiple times in the face before attempting to strangle him. "This was a violent and inexcusable act against a child," Sheriff Joshua Ray said in a statement to News 4 San Antonio. The outlet reports that Vela faces charges of injury to a child and continuous violence against the family.
Charges And What They Mean
State prosecutors have charged Vela with injury to a child and continuous violence against the family, both of which can be prosecuted as felonies in Texas. Under Texas Penal Code Section 22.04, "injury to a child" covers causing bodily or serious bodily injury to a person 14 or younger, with penalties that increase based on intent and the severity of the harm. Section 25.11 defines continuous violence against the family as two or more assaultive acts within a 12-month period, allowing prosecutors to treat an ongoing pattern of family violence as a single chargeable offense.
Authorities Seek Tips
The Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information that could aid the investigation to contact detectives. The non-emergency line and tip resources are listed on the department’s website. According to the Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office, tips can be submitted by calling (830) 379-1224 or through local Crime Stoppers channels.
Vela remained in custody as the investigation continued and prosecutors reviewed the case; no court date was publicly available. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 or the Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400, according to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
