Salida Couple Charged with Torture and Child Abuse Following SVU Investigation
SALIDA, CA — On March 16, 2026, the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office filed a criminal complaint against a Salida couple following an investigation into allegations of torture and child abuse. Priscilla Mestaz, 37, and Anthony Machuca, 36, face 27 felony and misdemeanor counts, including torture, conspiracy to commit torture, child endangerment, and assault with a deadly weapon.
The investigation began on January 31, 2026, when Stanislaus County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of an 11-year-old child refusing to return home. The child, who had been in the custody of Mestaz and Machuca since the summer of 2024, alleged physical abuse by her aunt. During a subsequent interview, the victim disclosed instances of abuse occurring over an extended period. Following the service of search and arrest warrants, investigators recovered surveillance footage that corroborated the victim’s statements.
Evidence at the residence indicated the child lived primarily in an uninsulated garage and backyard, lacking heating or air conditioning. The criminal complaint alleges that between January 2025 and January 2026, the child was subjected to physical abuse including strangulation and punching, withheld nutrition, and was forced to perform strenuous exercise under threat of assault. Additional allegations include the use of a dog leash to restrain and drag the child.
Machuca was arrested during the initial contact at the residence. Mestaz was arrested on March 12, 2026, following the birth of her child. A newborn and a 4-year-old child were placed in the protective custody of Stanislaus County Child Protective Services. Investigators noted that Mestaz previously served as a child and family services case manager for a local organization. Both defendants are currently being held in custody in lieu of $1,000,000 bail. The case remains under investigation to determine if further charges will be filed.
