A San Mateo County Sheriff's Deputy is facing felony child abuse charges for allegedly choking his 5-year-old son at his Livermore home in March. Alameda County prosecutors claim Deputy Steven Romero attacked the child for not eating his breakfast within a 15-minute timeframe.
According to the allegations, when the child did not respond quickly enough, Romero choked him by the mouth and neck and then dragged him by the ear to his room. The boy was later hospitalized, and a doctor determined that his injuries, including bruising to his ear, indicated physical abuse. Romero and the child's stepmother were reportedly caring for the child at the time of the alleged incident.
The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office confirmed they are aware of the allegations and have initiated an internal investigation. The agency stated that the alleged conduct occurred while Romero was on leave from the office, and that the investigation is ongoing.
Romero has been on leave since April 2025. Court records indicate that his legal team has requested a mental health diversion, but the district attorney's office has opposed this. KTVU has obtained records showing that Romero has been receiving treatment at a specialized recovery program for first responders since June. His diagnoses include alcohol and cannabis use disorders, PTSD, and major depression.
Neighbors in the area described Romero as a friendly family man and expressed shock at the allegations, noting that the family appeared loving and without obvious signs of distress. A pre-trial hearing in the case is scheduled for September 15.