Texas Domestic Violence Case Turns Deadly

A Texas domestic violence case has reportedly resulted in the deaths of a woman and her three children. Jonathan Camacho, 23, was charged in the deaths of his wife, Dulce Cumpean-Camacho, 23, and the couple’s three children. Police identified the children as four-year-old boy Zavier, one-year-old girl Ciara and two-month-old girl Faith. All four reportedly died of stab wounds before their small house was set ablaze.

Details of the Texas Domestic Violence Case

On the night of January 11, police were called to the couple’s small tin shack near Port Lavaca. Rather than placing a Texas domestic violence complaint with police, Ms. Cumpean-Camacho claimed that the incident was related to a child custody dispute. The officers persuaded the couple to sleep in separate beds, despite the fact that their home has less than 400 square feet of living space. Later that night, Mr. Camacho allegedly stabbed his wife and children and attempted to burn down the house in one of the most gruesome stories of Texas domestic violence to come from the region.

No Court Papers Filed Before Texas Domestic Violence Incident

A major issue surrounding the Camacho Texas domestic violence case stems from the fact that neither party had filed for divorce. Also, neither spouse had entered into any custody agreement filed with the county or district clerk’s office. Ms. Cumpean-Camacho has also not filed a Texas domestic violence protective order against her husband. At the time of the incident, officers were limited in the actions they could take without such legal restrictions in place.

Prosecutors Face Texas Domestic Violence Dilemma

The prosecutor in the Camacho Texas domestic violence case sees that his office, as well as law enforcement officers, must deal with a startling dilemma. Officers of the court must balance the need to protect Texas domestic violence victims, while preserving the rights of the accused against false allegations. Victoria County Criminal District Attorney Stephen Tyler stated that “both (sides) have rights that need to be protected” and that acting too quickly “(allows) for people to take advantage of the system.”

New Bill Would Speed Up Texas Domestic Violence Protective Orders

The Texas Council on Family Violence is working on a bill that would call on court clerks to enter Texas domestic violence protective orders into state and federal databases within three days. Aaron Setliff, the group’s public policy director, stated that some jurisdictions hold onto protective orders for up to a month before submitting them to state and federal authorities. He stressed that Texas domestic violence protective orders must be processed and served to the offenders immediately if law enforcement officers are to have any power to act on any violations.

Source: Victoria Advocate 

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