Full Notification

DATE/TIME: September 1, 2016 / 10:42 am

INCIDENT: Child Cruelty, Under the Influence of Controlled Substance

LOCATION: 15800 block of Eto Camino Road

SUSPECT(S): Matosha Martinez, 35 of Victorville
Cherish Lewis, 22 of Victorville
Dajanet Smith, 25 of Victorville
Thereca Griffin, 42 of Victorville
Virginia Mann, 61 of Victorville

VICTIM(S): Confidential

SUMMARY: On September 1, 2016, deputies from the Victorville Police Department responded to the 15800 block of Eto Camino Road to assist the Department of Children and Family Services in removing children from a home.

The home was found to be uninhabitable, with several serious health and safety issues. There was an insufficient amount of food in the home for the 5 adults and 20 children living there. The sleeping conditions were inadequate, there was no electricity or gas, and the carpet, walls, and furniture were in severe disrepair.

Code Enforcement found several serious issues, including black mold and deemed the home uninhabitable. Animal Control removed 20 dogs, two were deceased. None of the dogs had access to water.

The Department of Children and Family Services removed 20 children from the home, ranging from 2 ½ months to 17 years old.

Five female adults were arrested and booked at High Desert Detention Center. Matosha Martinez and Virginia Mann were booked for under the influence of a controlled substance and child cruelty.
Cherish Lewis, Dajanet Smith, and Thereca Griffin were booked for child cruelty.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the Victorville Police Department at (760) 241-2911. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.


Refer: Mara Rodriguez, Media Relations Officer

Station: Victorville Police Department

Case #: 171610564, 171610566

Phone No. (760) 241-2911

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