Biker Group Condemns Round Rock
Members Charged With Child Abuse

AUSTIN, TX  —  The Bikers Against Child Abuse organization released a statement Wednesday condemning the alleged actions of two of its former members in Round Rock related to child abuse.

“The B.A.C.A. Nation is deeply saddened and distressed to have learned that two of its former members, individuals licensed by the State of Texas as foster providers, were charged with numerous criminal acts against the children the state entrusted to their care,” read a prepared statement sent to Patch.  “The reported actions of these individuals not only violates the core of our organization’s mission, which is to empower abused children to not fear the world in which they live, but it violated the very trust afforded foster providers and caregivers.”

Daniel Rodriguez and Shirley Rodriguez have been charged with two counts of injury to a child, according to Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody.  An arrest affidavit details that the woman, 42, slapped one of the three adopted children before force-feeding the child, and is also alleged to have sent the man, 42, videos of the act, according to the report.

Additionally, Shirley Rodriguez was charged with two new counts of indecency with a child, according to the affidavit.  She is accused of touching two of the children inappropriately while showering with them while simultaneously participating in a video call with her husband, according to the affidavit.

The woman charged with a total of nine counts of indecency with a child, two counts of injury to a child and aggravated assault, according to jail records.  For his part, Daniel Rodriguez was charged with seven counts of indecency with a child and three counts of injury to a child.  Both are being held at the Williamson County Jail as of Tuesday, with bail set for the man at $1.45 million and for the woman at $1.82 million, records indicate.

BACA, the nonprofit group to which both belonged, has several regional bases of operation that include one in Central Texas.  The group was founded in 1995 by John Paul “Chief” Lilly in Provo, Utah.  Chief is a licensed clinical social worker and registered play therapist/supervisor, according to the group’s Wikipedia page.  The group is now in 48 states and nine countries, according to the page.

In the press release, BACA described a thorough background check members undergo before joining the group:  “Each and every member of the B.A.C.A. organization is thoroughly vetted before they are allowed to be involved with children.  This vetting process includes going through criminal background checks on local and federal levels, and strictly adhering to policies, procedures and the code of conduct, which ensures its members are never alone with a child.”

Upon learning of the charges against the Rodriguez’, their membership in BACA was immediately terminated, officials said:  “The moment B.A.C.A. became aware of the allegations, local and State Leadership moved swiftly against these individuals and removed them permanently from the organization.”