A 25-year-old Winlock woman faces felony charges after she was accused of assaulting two different children in separate incidents.
Abigail D. Rovario made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court Monday for two counts of third-degree assault of a child, domestic violence.
The Class C felonies are punishable by up to five years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
The probable cause affidavit filed by the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office states that the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office assisted Child Protective Services (CPS) with two investigations into Rovario — the first on Oct. 23 and the second on Oct. 31.
According to the affidavit, a 4-year-old in Rovario’s care was already receiving a “physical forensic examination based on a prior CPS call,” when examiners discovered a fresh bruise.
On Oct. 23, Rovario allegedly “stated she was the one that spanked (the child) and the bruise was from that,” according to the affidavit.
Photographs from the examination reportedly corroborated Rovario’s account, but also showed an additional bruise that appeared to be “more significant than a minor temporary mark.”
The child was subsequently placed with his father, according to the affidavit.
Oct. 31, a sheriff’s deputy assisted CPS on another call for possible abuse by Rovario.
According to the affidavit, Rovario’s roommate reported to CPS that she had “pictures of bruising” to the face of a 5-year-old child.
The photographs, taken in August, allegedly show additional marks around the “eye, nose and upper cheek.”
The roommate also provided screenshots of a text conversation where Rovario allegedly admitted to “smacking” the child in the mouth area.
The child told CPS that “the marks on her face were from her mother hitting her twice for yelling too loudly,” the affidavit stated.
During the preliminary hearing, Senior Deputy Prosecutor Paul Masiello asked the court to maintain the $25,000 bail amount previously set over the weekend. Masiello said that Rovario didn’t have much criminal history, but noted CPS’s prior involvement with the family.
Defense attorney Rachael Tiller said she wasn’t “aware of any criminal history” and asked the court to consider unsecured bail, adding that Rovario was receiving financial assistance.
“I don’t believe bail will be a possibility,” Tiller said.
Judge Joely Yeager called the allegations “very concerning” and granted the state’s requests for no-contact orders on behalf of the victims — at least until further orders from the court.
Yeager set bail at $25,000 cash or bond, and ordered Rovario to surrender any weapons.
An arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 6. Joshua House is assigned to represent Rovario
