STERLING — A grand jury investigation into the disappearance of Fort Morgan teen Kayla Chadwick, which led to the arrest of 19-year-old suspect Ivan Torralba in November, yielded a second arrest last week: that of 46-year-old Lucila Torralba, Ivan Torralba’s mother.
Lucila, who appeared in Logan County District Court Thursday, faces charges of perjury and attempting to influence a public servant.
The court agreed to slash her bond from $200,000 — set in an advisement hearing June 19 — to $25,000.
District Attorney Brittny Lewton also requested and received a protection order, which prevented any contact between Lucy and her son.
Ivan, who was out on a $75,000 bond earlier in the month, also appeared in court in jail stripes Thursday.
Fort Morgan police officers arrested him Friday, June 21, for marijuana possession and violation of a restraining order after executing a search warrant of his home. He also had “other bond issues,” Lewton told the court.
His bond jumped to $250,000 as a result of the arrest.
Details of both arrests are sealed, as they’re part of the grand jury’s investigation. But Lewton said Lucila’s charges were the result of the past year’s investigation and not necessarily from new developments.
Still, more information on both cases will be “forthcoming” in later court dates, likely closer to the end of the summer.
It’s been 15 months since Kayla Chadwick’s disappearance was reported in March 2012. She was last seen after an argument with Torralba.
A grand jury convened to investigate her disappearance and later found probably cause to believe Ivan Torralba had interfered with the investigation by moving or hiding a gun used as evidence.
Chadwick’s mother Robin Adams, along with family and friends, have appeared at most of his hearings dressed in neon green shirts bearing Kayla’s image. Members of Ivan’s family have appeared during most of the hearings, as well.
Lucila will reappear for a disposition hearing Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. and Ivan will appear July 25 at 1:30 p.m.
Contact Journal-Advocate staff writer David Martinez at 970-526-9283 or dmartinez@journal-advocate.com
