San Angelo Police Officer Arrested for Failing to Report Suspected Child Abuse

SAN ANGELO, TX — A San Angelo Police Department officer has been arrested after allegedly failing to report a suspected case of child abuse, according to a news release issued Friday by SAPD.

Officer Rodrigo Hernandez was placed on unpaid temporary suspension after a criminal complaint was filed May 14. Authorities say Hernandez did not meet the mandated reporting standards during a March 26 incident, which came to light during a supervisor’s review of body camera footage.

SAPD immediately launched an internal investigation. Due to the serious nature of the allegation—specifically, gross negligence in failing to report suspected child abuse—the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office was called in to conduct a separate criminal investigation.

Under the Texas Family Code, law enforcement officers are among those required to report suspected child abuse to Child Protective Services. The charge against Hernandez, “Knowingly Fail to Make Required Child Abuse Report,” is classified as a Class A misdemeanor.

The sheriff’s office submitted its findings to the Tom Green County Attorney’s Office, which filed the complaint. A warrant was issued, and Hernandez voluntarily surrendered to authorities.

The department stated that its internal investigation had been paused while the criminal investigation proceeded but has now resumed. Hernandez had initially been placed on paid administrative leave following the internal review.

The administrative suspension is not intended to indicate any opinion on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.