Dad, Stepmom Charged in Torture Murder of 8-Year-Old Girl
Share this @internewscast.com

This week, the father and stepmother of an 8-year-old girl from California, who was discovered deceased in a hotel bathtub over the weekend, attended a court hearing where they both pled not guilty to her death.

Genesis Ariah Mata’s body was found at a La Quinta Inn in Bakersfield on Saturday evening, according to a report from KBAK. Official statements indicate that during a two-day period, Graciela Bustamonte, 27, and Ray Mata Jr., 31, collaborated in torturing the girl, involving incidents of pouring extremely hot water on her, which led to her skin being severely burned.

The documents also say the pair crushed the girl’s hand, causing her fingernails to separate from her fingers.

Mata reportedly confessed to investigators that he struck the girl in the abdomen, which eventually led to her losing consciousness and passing away. The court documents also reveal that Bustamonte admitted her involvement in the abusive actions.

They face charges of first-degree murder, child cruelty, and torture, and have been denied bail. Their next court appearance is scheduled for the following month.

KGET reports that seven other children were placed into protective custody following the discovery of the child’s body. A representative from the district attorney’s office mentioned that the charges of child cruelty involve two victims, though the second victim hasn’t been named.

Sabrina Guerrero, who identified herself as Genesis’s cousin, mentioned to KGET that the family had reached out to Child Protective Services over 20 times concerning issues within the family.

“It’s a bad situation and CPS needs to be held accountable for everything. Cause they were called on numerous occasions and went out and did investigations and completely left the whole case,” she said.

CPS and the Kern County Department of Human Services declined to answer questions about those allegations.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Critical Mistake: How ‘Poor Judgment’ Led to the Starvation of a Vulnerable Micro-Preemie

Background: The Cape Coral Police Department in Cape Coral, Fla. (Google Maps).…

Newlywed Husband Sentenced for Wife’s Murder Just Two Weeks After Wedding

Main, left to right: Cassidy Ritchie (Tulsa Police Dept.) and Chris E.…

Tragic Shooting: Father of Four Killed in Front of Family, Leaving Community in Shock

Background: News footage of the scene on Oct. 10 where William Tatum…

Experts Suggest Some Stolen Louvre Artifacts May Remain Lost Forever

The Louvre Museum in Paris has announced it will keep its doors…

Man Sentenced to Prison for Throwing Girl Off Bridge: A Shocking Case of Endangerment

Joshua Hubert sits in the courtroom for his dangerousness hearing on charges…

Shocking Discovery: Parents Arrested After Special-Needs Son Found Buried in Backyard

Inset, left to right: December M. Mitchell and Jonathan J. Mitchell (Johnson…

Police Report: Mother Charged After Infant Found Unattended in Bathtub

Inset: Courtney M. Newsom (Craighead County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The area in…

Unveiling the Drama: Inside DOJ’s High-Stakes Alina Habba Legal Showdown

Left: Alina Habba walks off stage after speaking before Republican presidential nominee…

Road Rage Tragedy: Indiana Woman Fatally Shoots Driver Over Traffic Light Dispute

An Indiana woman faces murder charges following an alleged act of road…

Comey References Judge Cannon’s Reprimand of Jack Smith in Case Dismissal Decision

Left: Justice Clarence Thomas during a 2018 legal discussion (YouTube/Library of Congress).…

Husband Receives Sentence on Unrelated Charge Following Wife’s Tragic Fall

Background: News footage of Adam Beckerink in court in June (WLS). Inset:…

Inside the Four-Minute Heist: Unveiling Details of the Louvre Robbery

A daring and swift robbery has left the art world reeling after…