An Arizona teen with the psychological capability of a 3-year-old died after she was discovered unresponsive and coated in bruises at her household residence – the place her mom and grandmother allegedly stored her locked up in a makeshift cage.
The 13-year-old woman died Wednesday morning after she was rushed to the hospital by police when her grandmother, Virginia Lujan, reported Tuesday evening that her granddaughter was not respiration, based on the Tempe Police Division, a number of retailers reported.
Police, upon additional investigation, arrested Lujan, 55, and the teenager’s mom, Jami Hodges, after investigators discovered what seemed to be a foul-smelling cage full of feces inside their residence in Tempe.
Each kinfolk at the moment are going through youngster abuse costs after they allegedly admitted to police they stored the teenager within the cage – which was a part of bunk mattress the place the decrease bunk had been eliminated and changed with makeshift bars – to “control her,” police mentioned, 12News reported.
“No child should ever have to endure suffering. We are committed to uncovering the truth and seeking justice on her behalf,” Police Chief Ken McCoy mentioned at a press convention Thursday, Fox 10 reported.
“The tragic loss of a child is a profound reminder of our shared responsibility to protect the most vulnerable in our community. Investigations like this demand meticulous attention to detail and sensitivity to the emotional toll that it takes on everyone involved.”
McCoy mentioned the division is dedicated to holding the pair accountable.
The teenager, who had a cognitive impairment, reportedly fell down the steps Sunday evening, along with her grandmother telling police she didn’t present medical assist pondering the kid could be positive, AZ Household reported.
The 33-year-old mom claimed she wasn’t conscious of the autumn, police mentioned.
Police mentioned the teenager was coated in bruises and sores that had been in numerous phases of therapeutic when she was taken to the hospital, the place docs spent hours performing life-saving efforts.
4 further kids, starting from ages 2 to fifteen, had been faraway from the house close to Route 60 by the Division of Baby Security following the disturbing discovery, based on AZ Household.
The youngsters weren’t attending college, based on investigators.
Extra costs may very well be filed as police examine.
“This case is ongoing and still actively being investigated,” police mentioned, based on Fox 10.
“More charges could be pending as more evidence is discovered.”
Hodges was booked and launched, pending costs, as Lujan stays in police custody, police mentioned.
