The 11-year-old girl was reportedly abused for days before she passed away. The parents haven't been charged for her death as the cause of her death is yet to be determined.
Trigger warning: This article contains graphic details of child abuse.
Not all those who have children should be called parents because their behavior can be so monstrous that they don't deserve that title. A man and his wife are have been charged with torture and child abuse in California after the man's 11-year-old daughter was found dead in their home in March.
The girl's father Rene Diaz, 30, and stepmom, Crystal Diaz, 29, have been charged with torture, mayhem and four counts of child abuse dating back to November 2020, according to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s office, reported The Sacramento Bee. The girl has been referred to as "Jane Doe” in court documents and her real name is Annai Diaz.
She was found dead on March 23 after paramedics were called to the home of her parents located in the San Francisco Bay area, The Mercury News reported. The couple is accused of causing "permanent disability and disfigurement and deprivation of a limb, organ, and body member" to the girl. Authorities said the girl was subjected to torture with the "intent to cause cruel and extreme pain and suffering," as per The Sacramento Bee.
The parents are yet to be charged directly in relation to her death. The Contra Costa Sheriff's department is still investigating the child's cause of death, as per Daily Mail. The child was reportedly abused from March 9 to March 23 with "intent to cause cruel and extreme pain and suffering for the purpose of revenge, extortion, persuasion and for a sadistic purpose."
The authorities reportedly found specific evidence of abuse that took place on November 27, 2020, which led to the four counts of child abuse. Both father and stepmother are being held in the Contra Costa County Jail on a $1.4 million bond each. If convicted, they could face life sentences. They are due back in court on May 24.
On March 23, when the paramedics showed up they pronounced the 11-year-old dead in her parents' room. She was covered in bruises and burns, as per NBC Bay Area.
"The extent of her injuries on her body were tremendous shocking and help support the charges the defendants are charged with," said Derek Butts, Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney. He added that once her autopsy results are in, they will re-evaluate whether the parents should be charged on other counts as well.
The authorities wonder how things would have turned out for the child if she had been going to school in person instead of virtually. "Perhaps if the child has been attending school in person her injuries would have been discovered or the abuse deterred," said Derek. "No little child deserves that none nobody," he added.
A neighbor of the couple described how the night of March 23 had been like. “It was 3 a.m. I woke up to go to the bathroom and the whole front of the yard look like a UFO out there lights and everything,” said one Allen Jones said. Allen added that he always thought something strange was happening next door as the couple's four kids were rarely outside.
He was angry on behalf of the little girl who passed away. "Let me get a hold of the mom and dad and let them see how it feels to be tortured you don’t torture little kids, you don’t touch little kids," he added.
References:
https://www.sacbee.com/news/nation-world/national/article250519539.html
Cover image source: YouTube/ KTVU FOX 2 San Francisco
