Son arrested for severely beating his father, says Hidalgo County Sheriff

EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office is investigating an assault on an elderly man.

The sheriff's news release stated that at 10:33 p.m. on Tuesday, deputies responded to a welfare check on the 6500 block of Sharp Road in rural San Carlos, Texas. The incident was later reclassified as an injury to elderly with serious bodily injury.

When deputies arrived, they spoke with family members who said 86-year-old Francisco Coronado had been assaulted by his son, 42-year-old Francisco Coronado Jr.

Francisco Coronado Jr. is in custody after confessing to assaulting his 86 year old father. Photo courtesy of the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office.

The elder Coronado was found by deputies in the backyard, bleeding from his head, nose, and mouth. He appeared disoriented but stated that he had been attacked, according to deputies.

He was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Coronado Jr. fled the scene before deputies arrived.

Deputies were later informed by medical staff that Coronado Sr. had suffered head trauma, along with a broken nose, cheekbone, and jaw as a result of the assault. He was intubated following surgery and remains in critical condition.

On Wednesday, sheriff's investigators, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Violent Fugitive Task Force, located and took Francisco Coronado Jr. into custody. He was questioned and confessed to assaulting his father. Coronado has been booked into the county jail and is awaiting a bond hearing at 2 p.m. Thursday.

This is an ongoing criminal investigation. The Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office urges any witnesses regarding this case to come forward by calling (956) 383-8114.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call the Hidalgo County Crime Stoppers Hotline at (956) 668-8477. Anonymity will be provided.