EL PASO, Texas – A Fort Bliss couple is facing federal charges after a chilling indictment details years of alleged abuse against a minor. Cecilia Stepaniak, 34, and Coreydon Stepaniak, 34, were arrested this week, accused of a pattern of cruelty that allegedly spanned from April 2019 to February 2024.
Court documents paint a disturbing picture of systematic torment. The Stepaniaks are accused of placing the child, under the age of 15, in “imminent danger of death, bodily injury, and physical or mental impairment.” The indictment alleges a litany of horrific acts, including the fabrication of bullying claims to justify keeping the child home from school. But the abuse went far beyond deception.
Investigators allege the couple dangerously restricted the child’s food intake, inflicting physical harm by hitting the victim with a cell phone charging cable. The indictment details an especially harrowing incident where a sharp kitchen knife was allegedly held to the child’s throat. Further allegations include kicking the minor while they were on the ground, locking them in a dark closet, and confining them to the garage of their Fort Bliss residence. As if that weren’t enough, the couple allegedly forced the child to perform grueling calisthenics exercises repeatedly throughout the day.
Both Cecilia Stepaniak and Coreydon Stepaniak are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit injury to a child, one count of injury to a child, one count of child endangerment, and one count of child abandonment. The potential penalties are significant. If convicted, each defendant faces up to five years in prison for the conspiracy charge. The injury to a child charge carries a minimum of 180 days and a maximum of two years. The endangerment and abandonment charges are the most severe, carrying a minimum of two years and a maximum of 20 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas announced the arrests. The investigation was a joint effort between the FBI and the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, highlighting the severity of the allegations and the need for federal intervention. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nallely Barbosa and Debra Kanof are prosecuting the case.
It’s crucial to remember that an indictment is simply an allegation. Cecilia Stepaniak and Coreydon Stepaniak are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. However, the details laid out in the indictment are deeply disturbing and warrant a thorough examination of the evidence. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it unfolds, bringing you the unvarnished truth from the courtroom.
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
