In a case that has rocked a tiny South Texas school district, former La Pryor Independent School District superintendent William David Arevalo was arrested after a Zavala County grand jury returned a true bill of indictment charging him with injury to a child. The case, which began when Arevalo was still running the rural district, is expected to be handled in the 293rd Judicial District Court, according to local officials.
The Zavala County Sheriff’s Office said deputies picked up Arevalo on May 27 on an outstanding arrest warrant that followed the grand jury’s action, according to KABB. The agency said its Criminal Investigation Division pursued the case under the department’s Safe Kids Initiative, and that the 293rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office will prosecute.
The criminal case trails reporting from last year, when La Pryor ISD placed Arevalo on paid administrative leave after a parent accused him of grabbing and dragging her kindergarten-aged daughter into a classroom on Jan. 31, 2025, then preventing the child from leaving, as reported by the San Antonio Express-News. The mother told the paper her daughter was later found "in the fetal position." Child Protective Services and the sheriff’s office were involved in that earlier investigation.
In February 2025, La Pryor ISD confirmed that the school board had placed Arevalo on paid administrative leave and tapped business manager Miriam Castillo to serve as acting superintendent, News 4 San Antonio reported. At the time, district officials emphasized that the move was an administrative step while law enforcement completed its work.
Investigation by sheriff's office
Zavala County officials said the Criminal Investigation Division’s efforts under the Safe Kids Initiative ultimately led to the grand jury presentation, though they have not released a detailed public timeline or narrative of the allegations, according to KABB. In its arrest announcement, the sheriff’s office listed the offense as "injury to a child" and did not indicate whether the indictment accuses Arevalo of causing serious bodily injury.
What the charge means
Under Texas law, "injury to a child" falls under Penal Code §22.04 and covers acts or omissions that result in bodily injury, serious bodily injury, or serious mental injury to a child. Penalties vary based on the level of harm alleged. The statute also includes enhanced provisions when the accused is a caregiver or an institutional employee, along with specified defenses and exceptions in certain circumstances. The full statute text is available in the Texas Penal Code.
Parents and community members told reporters last year that the incident stirred deep concern across the tiny district; one mother told the San Antonio Express-News, "We just want justice." La Pryor ISD serves about 440 students on two campuses, and the case has renewed scrutiny of how small districts respond when serious complaints are lodged against staff. Court dates and additional prosecutorial details had not been released.
