UPDATE: Child Protective Services (CPS) and police officials are actively testifying in a high-stakes trial involving Nicolas Engracio Damian Roberto, who is accused of impregnating a 13-year-old girl. The testimony, taking place in Superior Court under Judge Vernon Perez, has revealed alarming details about the ongoing investigation into allegations of sexual abuse.
During testimony on Wednesday, CPS social worker Patience Artero recounted the initial referral from a school in 2023 that raised serious concerns about the minor’s well-being. “They weren’t able to confirm if she was pregnant,” Artero stated, emphasizing that the girl initially denied being pregnant. However, she confessed to missing her period and indicated that another minor may be responsible for her condition.
Artero detailed the investigation’s challenges, noting that the minor identified another boy as the father but could not provide his name, leading to a temporary pause in the inquiry. The child remained with her parents until a new referral on May 17, 2024, which alleged physical neglect and sexual abuse, prompted CPS to place her in protective custody.
“The parents’ inability to provide stable support” led to her initial placement in the Ikuma Menendez group home, according to Artero. She also revealed that the minor had expressed suicidal thoughts, necessitating counseling support.
The courtroom drama intensified with police testimony regarding an interview with Roberto, who was questioned after a harassment complaint from the minor’s father in July 2024. Police Officer Mark Santos Mangaliman testified that he found Roberto near the mayor’s office and brought him to the Agat Police Precinct for questioning. Roberto denied any sexual relationship with the minor, claiming he viewed her as family, despite admitting to a relationship with her mother.
Mangaliman painted a picture of Roberto’s demeanor during the interrogation, stating, “He did not want to look at me. He was closed off, arms crossed.” The officer revealed that Roberto was ordered to take a DNA test regarding paternity but failed to provide documentation of the order.
Roberto faces four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, categorized as first-degree felonies. He was released on a $25,000 personal recognizance bond, but if convicted, he could face life in prison.
The trial’s developments are being closely monitored, with CPS recommending restrictions on Roberto’s contact with the minor due to serious sexual abuse concerns. As this trial unfolds, the implications for the involved parties and the community are profound.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on this urgent case as it continues to develop in the courtroom.
