Twentynine Palms residents arrested for child abuse following lengthy investigation
Haley Meberg
TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (KESQ)– Two adults from Twentynine Palms were arrested following a six-month investigation into suspected child abuse, authorities said.
Christine Curington, 31, and Justin Surs, 34, were arrested and booked at Morongo Basin jail following a child abuse investigation that began Mid-December 2024.
Detectives from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Specialized Investigations Division — Crimes Against Children Detail — launched the investigation on Dec. 17, 2024, for an alleged occurrence of child abuse that took place on November 6, 2024.
The pair were identified as the main suspects of this case and were issued arrest warrants in violation of PC203, Mayhem and PC273a for Felony Child Endangerment.
Curington was arrested on June 26, and Surs was arrested on July 7.
A spokesperson from the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office clarified the mayhem charge, stating that while the legal language may reference multiple body parts, the charge in this case pertains specifically to an eye injury.
“The way the complaint reads can be confusing,” the spokesperson said. “The charge is related to only an eye injury. The complaint reads that it includes other parts of the body like tongue and ears; however, that’s just the way the laws are written and/or translated to our filing documents.”
Both suspects have been formally charged. Their next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 6.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Victoria Twardowski of the Specialized Investigations Division, Crimes Against Children Detail at (909) 890-4904 or place an anonymous call through the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463)
Stay with News Channel 3 for more updates.