Walsenberg woman arrested on outstanding warrant and child abuse, found hiding in false wall in trailer | KRDO

Woman Arrested for Child Abuse and Hiding from Law Enforcement

On Thursday, August 17, a woman from Walsenberg, Colorado was arrested by Huerfano County Sheriffs on multiple charges, including an outstanding warrant and charges of child abuse. The incident involved the woman hiding from law enforcement in a false wall within her trailer home.

Background

The arrest took place at a trailer on East Grand Street in Walsenberg. Prior to the arrest, deputies had responded to reports of a man, identified as 62-year-old Timothy Couch, collapsing with labored breathing in front of his home. One of Mr. Couch’s children, who no longer lived with him, requested that deputies return to the home as they believed there were still siblings being abused and children with special needs under their father’s care.

Investigation and Arrest

During the investigation, it was discovered that Mr. Couch was married to Martha Crouch, who had an outstanding felony warrant in New Mexico for violating her probation on child abuse charges from December 2021. Martha Crouch had previously pleaded guilty to felony counts of child and animal abuse dating back to 2019, where she was responsible for severe physical and mental abuse towards her children. The abuse included chaining one daughter to a bed and an incident where Martha allegedly boiled four puppies while forcing her children to watch, even shooting one of her children’s dogs as punishment.

Concerned for the safety of the other children in the home and wanting to locate Martha, deputies obtained a warrant and returned to the trailer home. Despite being told that their mother had died years ago and one of their younger siblings had been missing for approximately three years, deputies entered the home. Acting on a tip from a neighbor, they discovered a false wall in the kitchen, behind which Martha and her 14-year-old daughter were found. The 14-year-old daughter was the same child who had been reported missing.

Martha Crouch was arrested for violating her probation and is now facing new charges for misdemeanor child abuse and obstructing deputies during their search operation. She is currently being held in Huerfano County jail on a $5,000 cash bond, with a court date yet to be determined. It remains unclear if she will be extradited to New Mexico due to the previous warrant.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. SDG 1: No Poverty – Ensuring the well-being and safety of children is crucial in eradicating poverty and promoting social development.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Protecting children from abuse and providing them with a safe environment contributes to their overall health and well-being.
3. SDG 4: Quality Education – Children with special needs require proper care and support to access quality education.
4. SDG 5: Gender Equality – Addressing child abuse helps promote gender equality by ensuring the protection of all children, regardless of their gender.
5. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Protecting vulnerable children from abuse helps reduce inequalities and ensures equal opportunities for all.
6. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – Law enforcement agencies play a crucial role in ensuring justice and protecting children from abuse.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty – The article mentions child abuse, which can be linked to poverty and inequality.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The article mentions the abuse of children with special needs and the death of Timothy Couch.
• SDG 4: Quality Education – The article mentions children being abused and deprived of education.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality – The article mentions the abuse of Martha Couch’s daughter.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The article highlights the abuse of children and the vulnerable position they were in.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – The article discusses law enforcement’s involvement in arresting Martha Couch and addressing the abuse.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions – This target is relevant as child abuse can be linked to poverty.
• Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age – This target is relevant as the article mentions the death of Timothy Couch.
• Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes – This target is relevant as the article mentions children being abused and deprived of education.
• Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation – This target is relevant as the article mentions the abuse of Martha Couch’s daughter.
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status – This target is relevant as the article highlights the abuse of children and the vulnerable position they were in.
• Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children – This target is relevant as the article discusses child abuse and the involvement of law enforcement.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 1.2.1: Proportion of population living below the national poverty line, by sex and age group – This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 1.2.
• Indicator 3.2.1: Under-five mortality rate – This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 3.2.
• Indicator 4.1.1: Proportion of children and young people (a) in grades 2/3; (b) at the end of primary; and (c) at the end of lower secondary achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex – This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 4.1.
• Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months, by form of violence and by age group – This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 5.2.
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities – This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 10.2.
• Indicator 16.2.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and form of exploitation – This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 16.2.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators