On April 26, 2023, detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit were called to investigate suspected child abuse at a home in unincorporated Tigard. Detectives received information that a child was being chained up in the house, often for more than 12 hours daily. The child was also strangled, hit, kicked, and verbally abused, including derogatory slurs. This abuse went on for nearly a year and was allegedly a result of the child taking drinks and food from the kitchen.
Detectives interviewed several witnesses and obtained a search warrant for the home. Evidence was found by detectives inside the house that corroborated the allegations of abuse. Detectives arrested 67-year-old Ana M. Miranda and her husband, 74-year-old Charles “Randy” Ward, for criminal mistreatment in the first degree.
During follow-up interviews, detectives learned Miranda had assaulted multiple other children in the home over many years.
On May 3, 2023, a Washington County Grand Jury indicted Miranda on the following charges:
- Criminal mistreatment in the first degree (8 counts)
- Strangulation
- Assault in the second degree
- Unlawful use of a weapon
Ward was indicted on the following charges:
- Criminal mistreatment in the first degree (4 counts)
Miranda and Ward lived with nine children and two young adults, and detectives are continuing to investigate. Anyone with information on Miranda or Ward is asked to contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at 503-846-2700.
