Parents And Grandmother Charged In The Death Of A Child In Arizona

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

The parents and grandmother of a 6-year-old boy were arrested on charges of child abuse and homicide at their Arizona home after the boy's death, who could not be revived when first aid was performed.

Flagstaff police discovered the boy's body after receiving a telephone complaint that took them to the home of Anthony José and Elizabeth Archibeque-Martínez, 23 and 26, respectively, and Ann Marie Martínez, 50, who were in charge. of the little one and his brothers of 7, 4 and 2 years.

Authorities said both the boy's parents and grandmother admitted they kept him in a closet with his 7-year-old brother "because they stole food at night while his parents slept." The precise cause of death is still unknown.

They also noted that the older children were malnourished and did not appear to be their age, while the younger ones appeared to be healthy and not malnourished, like their siblings.

According to NBC, the 7-year-old boy was taken with his brothers to a local hospital. Child custody was turned over to the state Department of Child Safety (DCS).

According to People, this is not the first time that the family appears on the DCS radar, since in February 2013 a complaint of abuse was received towards one of the children. On that occasion, however, no basis was found for the allegations, according to a DCS statement.

Authorities are investigating whether anyone knew of the abusive situation that was occurring in that home. Police explained that it is unusual for something of that magnitude to go unnoticed in a community as small as the family's residence.

Parents and grandmother are behind bars and must face justice and respond to what happened.

If you suspect child abuse, call 1-800-422-4453. All calls are confidential.