38 YEAR OLD SYNTHIA VARELA-CASAUS NOW FACES MULTIPLE CHILD ABUSE CHARGES AFTER BEING INDICTED BY A BERNALILLO GRAND JURY WEDNESDAY. THE CHARGES STEM FROM THE DEATH OF HER NINE YEAR OLD SON, OMAREE, LATE LAST MONTH IN HER NORTHEAST ALBUQUERQUE APARTMENT. DETECTIVES SAY THEY FOUND EVIDENCE OF CHILD ABUSE, POSSIBLY OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. VARELA-CASAUS TOLD FIRST RESPONDERS THAT HER SON HAD FALLEN OFF A TOY HORSE, INJURING HIMSELF. SHE EVENTUALLY ADMITTED TO KICKING THE BOY IN THE STOMACH MULTIPLE TIMES. SHE HAS SAID IT WAS AN ACCIDENT THAT HAPPENED AS SHE WAS DISCIPLINING HIM.
VARELA-CASAUS HAS AN UPCOMING HEARING IN DISTRICT COURT. SHE'S BEING HELD AT THE METRO DETENTION CENTER ON A 100-THOUSAND DOLLAR CASH ONLY BOND.
