Homeschooling’s 

Invisible Children

Chrystal Ramirez and Sister

Content note: Case narratives include descriptions of severe violence inflicted on children, including abuse and neglect, sexual violence, torture, and murder, as well as mentions of suicide and domestic violence. They also include photos of victims and perpetrators of violence.

Chrystal 2

Chrystal Ramirez, 8 years old, died of abuse suffered at the hands of her adoptive parents, Rubin Stephen and Bettie Ramirez. She was beaten with a cane until her brain bled, and was also starved and severely malnourished. She was often restrained, taped at the wrists and ankles and chained to her bed. Her mouth was sometimes taped shut, and she was restrained often enough that she had bed sores. Her bedroom door was locked from the outside, and rigged so that a bell would ring if she tried to leave. Chrystal’s 10 year old sister was similarly starved and restrained, but her 7 year old brother showed no signs of abuse. Chrystal and her sister had attended school several years before, but after teachers reported that she was digging for food in garbage cans and child protective services made contact with the family, they were removed from school to be homeschooled.

Date: August 2007
Location: San Antonio, Texas

Documents: Date:
Foster parents jailed after death 2007-08-27
Little Girl Found Dead from Severe Physical Abuse 2007-08-28
Parents arrested following death of adopted girl: Girl’s siblings in protective custody. 2007-08-28
Gonzales Inquirer Editorial 2007-08-31
A sad ending: Chrystal Ramirez’ life a mystery to relatives 2007-08-31
New facts on child’s death found 2007-09-10
Biological Mom Comes Face-To-Face With Adoptive Couple Accused of Killing Her Child 2007-12-18
Trial begins for couple accused of starving child to death 2007-12-18
Gonzales County reschedules murder trial 2008-07-09
Trial begins for couple in case of child starvation 2009-02-01