A California sheriff’s deputy charged with felony child abuse has asked a court to divert his case into mental health treatment, but prosecutors are fighting the request.
Steven Romero, a San Mateo County Sheriff’s Deputy, allegedly attacked his five-year-old son at the family’s Livermore home in March after the child failed to finish breakfast within a 15-minute time limit, Alameda County prosecutors said. The boy had been in the care of Romero and his stepmother when the incident occurred.
When the child did not eat quickly enough, Romero allegedly choked him by the mouth and neck before dragging him into his room by the ear, according to prosecutors. The boy was later taken to a hospital, where a doctor determined that injuries including bruising to his ear constituted physical abuse.
Neighbors who spoke with KTVU described Romero as a friendly family man and expressed shock at the allegations. They told the station they had seen Romero walk down the street with his children, and that the family appeared loving with no obvious signs of toxicity.
Romero has been on leave from the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office since April 2025. The agency confirmed it learned of the criminal allegations during that leave period and launched an internal investigation.
“During Mr. Romero’s leave, criminal allegations were brought to the attention of the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office,” the agency told KTVU. “The alleged conduct occurred off duty in Alameda County while Mr. Romero was on leave, which remains ongoing.”
Court records show Romero’s defense team has requested a mental health diversion, which would route his case out of the criminal justice system and into treatment. The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office has opposed that effort.
Records obtained by KTVU indicate Romero had been treated at a specialized recovery program for first responders since June. His diagnosis at the program included alcohol and cannabis use disorders, PTSD, and major depression.
The case highlights tensions between law enforcement agencies and prosecutorial oversight when officers face serious off-duty criminal charges. Romero’s leave status means he has continued to draw pay while the internal and criminal investigations proceed in parallel.
The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office charged Romero with felony child abuse following the March incident. The charge carries significant potential penalties if prosecutors succeed in keeping the case in criminal court.
A pre-trial hearing in the case is scheduled for Sept. 15.