Cops: couple used "shock collar" on child

Eduardo Montanez Eduardo Montanez Photo: Contributed Photo/ Crimelab, Contributed Photo Photo: Contributed Photo/ Crimelab, Contributed Photo Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Cops: couple used "shock collar" on child 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

DANBURY -- A Kohanza Street couple were accused of using an electric shock collar to discipline a 9-year-old girl and arrested by Danbury police Tuesday. The arrest followed an investigation that began last week after a school employee reported signs of possible child abuse.

Eduardo Montanez, 43, and his wife, Paula, 34, used a sound-activated collar normally used to train dogs as a disciplinary tool on the girl, forcing her to bark whenever they wanted to punish her, police said.

The two were being held in lieu of $250,000 and $200,000 bonds, respectively, and are expected to be arraigned Wednesday morning in state Superior Court in Danbury.

Police said the school employee reported the suspected abuse to the state Department of Children and Families on Oct. 24, triggering the joint investigation by the DCF and the Police Department's Special Victims Unit.

Eduardo Montanez was charged with two counts of risk of injury to a minor, third-degree assault and cruelty to persons.

His wife was charged with two counts each of risk of injury and conspiracy.

Police didn't identify the child or provide any information about her relationship to the couple. Detective Sgt. Bryan Bishop said only that the girl was in their care.

Use of shock collars is controversial among pet care professionals. The devices come in a variety of models, ranging from those that deliver shocks when the dog barks, to collars that can be activated by remote control.

The Montanez couple used one that is sound activated, which are the cheaper models, police said.

jpirro@newstimes.com; 203-731-3342