Early Police Chief David Mercer released information on Tuesday regarding an investigation that his department began on January 6th regarding the sexual assault of a child. Mercer said that the victim, a 10-year-old girl, stated that her biological father, 36-year-old Michael Shane Coronado of Brownwood, had forced her to have sex with him. The girl and her mother were taken to the Hill Country Children’s advocacy center in Burnet, Texas for a forensic interview and exam. The exam confirmed that the girl had trauma that was consistent with sexual abuse according to Mercer.
Sgt. Shawn Dibrell made contact with the suspect and brought him to the Early Police Department for an interview. Mercer said that during the interview, Coronado admitted to having sex with his daughter.
The sexual acts occurred at their home while they lived in Early and in Brownwood, and Coronado was placed under arrest on Friday after admitting to the offenses according to Mercer. Coronado was charged with Continuous Sexual Abuse of a young Child, a 1st degree felony and is being held in the Brown County Jail on $125,000 bond.
Mercer also said that Coronado had been released from prison in February 2009 and the abuse began in March 2009 with the last time being in August 2009 according to Coronado’s statement to police.
Chief Mercer said that the law of continuous sexual abuse became effective September 1, 2007 and originally was punishable under the death penalty, but was later changed cited as to harsh of punishment.
