Caretaker Mistreated Child Wards For Years: Police

HILLSBORO, OR — A caretaker for both adults and minors was arrested in Hillsboro on Thursday and charged with more than 10 counts of criminal mistreatment related to the care — or lack of care — she provided to the people in her charge, according to Hillsboro police.

Merlinda Avalos, 49, was taken to Washington County Jail and charged with criminal mistreatment and tampering with evidence. Her bail is set at $12,500.

According to Hillsboro police and court documents obtained by Patch, Avalos between 2012 and 2018 allegedly mistreated at least three minors to whom she is related and has been the guardian for since 2012.

Hillsboro police spokesman Lt. Henry Reimann said the alleged mistreatment included:

• Confining all the victims to one shared room;
• Forcing the victims to relieve themselves into a jug during the night because Avalos would not allow evening bathroom breaks;
• Providing the victims with only one peanut butter sandwich in the morning for breakfast and another at night for dinner;
• Not allowing the victims to shower more than once per week and forcing them to attend school in urine-soaked clothes;
• Preventing the victims from watching television, reading books, or going outside to play; and
• Beating the victims with any immediately available object when they "made any noise or got off their beds."

Because Avalos was also tasked with providing care for retirement-age adults, police are asking any other victims of her alleged abuse to come forward. Victims can contact Hillsboro police at 503-681-6175.

Image via Hillsboro Police Department