Three arrested in Northern California; four children endangered, using heroin, deputies say

OROVILLE — Three Oroville residents were arrested on suspicion of child endangerment Wednesday in an investigation that began in early December after two underage girls were found under the influence of heroin during a call to the home, authorities say.

The girls were transported to a local hospital, cleared, and custody was turned over to Butte County Children’s Services.

The Butte County Sheriff’s Office arrested Eric Becerril, 24; Becerril’s mother, Anna Valles, 50; and Edward Silvera, 28; all of Oroville.

Detectives investigated and said in a press release that Becerril had been allowing the girls to stay at his home and to use heroin there.

Detectives also obtained a search warrant for Becerril’s residence, where he was found on Wednesday, and arrested on suspicion of maintaining a residence where narcotics are used or sold. During their search, Valles and Silvera arrested.

Another two children were found in the home at that time, and detectives say they located numerous items of heroin, hypodermic needles and drug paraphernalia.

One of the children was turned over to Butte County Children’s Services, and the other was turned over to the custody of her mother.

Becerril was arrested for a felony charge, on suspicion of maintaining a residence where narcotics are used or sold, possession of heroin, possession of narcotics paraphernalia and a violation of an arrest warrant.

Valles was arrested for suspicion of felony child endangerment and for a felony charge of maintaining a residence where narcotics are used or sold.

Silvera was arrested for violating an arrest warrant, on suspicion of providing a false name to a peace officer and possession of narcotics paraphernalia.

The investigation is ongoing, and the Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with additional information about Becerril to contact Detective Brian Mollath at 530-538-7671.