Hollister Police this week arrested a parolee at large after investigating a recent child abuse allegation, authorities said.
On May 5, police received a report from a concerned father that his child had been hit by the mother’s current boyfriend, Hollister Police said in a press release. The abuse allegedly occurred while the child was visiting with the mother in Hollister.
The father told an investigating officer that the child had been taken to the hospital due to injuries suffered when the suspect slapped the child in the face, police said. The suspect was identified as 38-year-old Michael Rivas.
Upon further investigation, police determined that Rivas was a parolee who had failed to check in with authorities as required under the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Post Release Community Supervision program. Police said Rivas had absconded from parole terms since October 2023.
A warrant had been issued for Rivas’ arrest in November 2023, police added.
On May 7, police conducted surveillance at a home where Rivas was reportedly living and identified him as he was leaving the residence, authorities said. Officers conducted a traffic stop on Rivas’ vehicle and he was taken into custody without further incident.
Rivas was arrested on suspicion of felony child abuse and on the felony warrant issued in 2023, police said. While being searched during the arrest, police also found suspected methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia in Rivas’ possession.
Rivas was booked at San Benito County Jail.
