Crime & Safety

Police: Parents Used Electric Dog Collar to Punish Child

The Danbury couple was arrested on child abuse charges after a teacher notified authorities.

A Danbury couple allegedly used an electric shock collar to punish their 9-year-old daughter for a bad progress report at school.

Danbury Police and employees of the state Department of Children and Families began their investigation into the alleged abuse after an employee of Danbury Public Schools reported it on Oct. 24.

Five days later, on Oct. 29, Danbury Police arrested the girl's step-father, Eduardo Montanez, 43, on two counts of risk of injury to a minor, third-degree assault and cruelty to persons. He was held on a $250,000 bond.

Police also charged the girl's mother, Paula Montanez, 34, with two counts of risk of injury to a minor, conspiracy to commit third-degree assault and conspiracy to commit cruelty to persons. She was held on a $200,000 bond.

According to NBC Connecticut, Eduardo Montanez forced the girl to bark as she wore the collar. The mother witnessed the alleged abuse, NBC reports.

Eduardo Montanez was held on a $250,000 bond and Paula Montanez on a $200,000 bond. The case was scheduled to be continued in Danbury Superior Court Oct. 30. 


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