Full Notification

DATE/TIME: September 3, 2014

INCIDENT: Torture/ Willful Injury to a Child

LOCATION: 9500 block of Choiceana Avenue, Hesperia

SUSPECT(S): Erik Flores, 30, resident of Hesperia
Mariah Sugg, 22, resident of Hesperia

VICTIM(S): Two male juveniles, ages 6 and 7
Female Juvenile, 4 years old

SUMMARY:
On Friday, June 6, 2014 at approximately 10:00 a.m., Forensic Pediatricians from Loma Linda University Medical Center contacted the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Departments Crimes against Children Detail regarding three malnourished children, ages 4, 6 and 7. The Department of Children and Family Services brought the children to the hospital subsequent to the service of a detention warrant on the father, Erik Flores, who resides with his girlfriend, Mariah Sugg. Two of the children were extremely emaciated and malnourished. The 7 year old, who is provided meals at school, was well nourished, however provided witness testimony as to how his siblings were being treated, as well as disclosing negelct to himself. The 4 and 6 year old were admitted into Loma Linda Childrens Medical Center for failure to thrive treatment. The 7 year old was examined and placed into foster care. According to forensic pediatricians, the 4 year old victim was close to death, suffering an extreme case of failure to thrive, as well as signs of sexual molestation.

The children's father and girlfriend, were subsequently interviewed by detectives from the Crimes against Children Detail. Through their investigation, detectives concluded the victims endured torture and willful inuries related to malnourishment, sexual abuse, and failure to thrive while under the care of Flores and Sugg. After being removed from the father and his girlfriend, the 4 and 6 year old had both gained in excess of ten pounds in a two month period.

Erik Flores and Mariah Sugg were arrested and booked into High Desert Detention Center for PC 206-Torture and PC 273a(a)-Willful Injury to a Child and held on $500,000 bail.

Both Flores and Sugg were also receiving food stamps and had the ability to propely feed and nourish the children. However, they used the deprivation of food and extreme physical workout sessions as a form of punishment.

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to contact Detective David Clifford at the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, Crimes against Children Detail, (909)387-3615.

Refer: Detective David Clifford
Station: Specialized Investigations Division-Crimes Against Children Detail
Phone No. 909-387-3615
Case No. 191404114

JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department