Del Rio Mother Arrested After Makeup Concealed Large Bruise

Del Rio police arrested 28-year-old Nykki Ritacco on Jan. 8 after officers investigating a reported outcry of physical abuse at Ceniza Hills Elementary School found a large bruise concealed by makeup on a 6-year-old student. Officers responded about 12:15 p.m. after a female student told a teacher that her mother had assaulted a sibling, police said.

An officer with the San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District relayed the student's account to Del Rio police. Officers interviewed the 6-year-old in the school nurse’s office and found what appeared to be cosmetic material concealing an injury. Police reported, "observed that the child’s back appeared to be covered with makeup." They added, "After the makeup was removed, officers observed a large bruise covering a significant portion of the child’s back."

Investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Ritacco, who was located living inside a storage shed in the 1100 block of West Garza Street with four additional children. Ritacco was arrested without incident on a charge of injury to a child/elderly/disabled person, processed at the Del Rio Police Department and later transferred to the GEO Correctional Facility pending the magistrate process.

Child Protective Services responded immediately and assisted with emergency placement for six children connected to the case, whose ages ranged from 5 months to 8 years. A local physician evaluated the children and recommended urgent medical care for the youngest three within 24 hours. Police requested an emergency protective order on behalf of the children and their temporary custodian.

Local support organizations and law enforcement resources were mobilized during the response. CASA of Val Verde County, BCFS and crime victim advocates from the Del Rio Police Department provided food, child care, transportation and victim support at the department while investigators continued their work.

Beyond the immediate criminal case and medical needs, the incident underscores the intersections of child protection, housing insecurity and community services in Val Verde County. That the suspect was found living in a storage shed highlights gaps in stable housing that can complicate oversight and welfare checks. The rapid involvement of CPS and local nonprofits reflects existing emergency-response protocols, but also raises questions about whether current staffing, placement capacity and healthcare access are sufficient to meet acute needs when multiple young children are involved.

Residents and local officials face decisions about resource priorities and oversight of the systems that respond to child abuse reports. Voters and civic leaders may examine county and city budgets, CPS support levels, and coordination between schools, law enforcement and community service providers to ensure timely protection and care for vulnerable children.