Inset: Genesis A. Mata (GoFundMe). Background: The hotel where Genesis’ dad and stepmom allegedly tortured and killed her (KGET).
A man aged 31, along with his 27-year-old partner, face charges in California for the alleged torture and murder of his 8-year-old daughter. They reportedly poured boiling water on the child and severely injured her hands before inflicting fatal injuries.
Ray Mata Jr. and Graciela Bustamonte have been arrested and are facing several serious charges, among them first-degree murder, concerning the death of the young girl, Genesis A. Mata, according to official records.
The Bakersfield Police Department reported that on Saturday around 5:37 p.m., they were called to the La Quinta Inn located in the 3200 block of Riverside Drive. They were responding to a medical emergency involving an unconscious child found in a bathtub. The caller mentioned receiving a warning from someone else that the child might be at risk.
When the authorities arrived, they knocked on the bathroom door but got no reply, prompting them to force the door open. Inside, they discovered the unresponsive body of 8-year-old Genesis.
Genesis was pronounced dead on the scene with authorities noting that she had suffered visible signs of “substantial trauma.”
Additional details from a probable cause affidavit, obtained by Bakersfield’s CBS affiliate KBAK, reveal what authorities suspect led to Genesis’s tragic death.
The document states that Mata and Bustamonte allegedly collaborated for two days to continuously torment Genesis through various brutal acts, including drenching her with hot water, which caused her severe burn injuries.
They couple also allegedly smashed the victim’s hands so badly that her fingernails came off.
“Cases like this are especially tragic, especially when you’re dealing with juvenile victims and some of the most innocent in our community,” Bakersfield Police Assistance Chief Brent Stratton told Bakersfield dual NBC/CW affiliate KGET. “The significant amount of trauma that the child sustained, and was subjected to is what lead to the charges of torture. With our investigators saying this being one of the most significant cases they’ve ever seen.”
The investigation led to the arrests of Mata and Bustamonte Sunday morning. They appeared in Kent County Superior Court on Tuesday where both pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Police reportedly said Mata ultimately admitted that he punched Genesis in the stomach, which led directly to her losing consciousness and dying. Bustamonte allegedly admitted to taking part in multiple torturous acts that led to her stepdaughter’s death.
Genesis’ cousin, Sabrina Guerrero, attended the proceedings where she told local ABC affiliate KERO that multiple family members had reported Mata and Bustamonte to Child Protective Services, saying there were “big time” signs the child was being abused and that “the system failed” her little cousin.
A GoFundMe page started by another cousin said that Genesis was “full of life, had a beautiful spirit, and loved anything that sparkled.” The page had raised close to $4,000 of its $20,000 goal as of Wednesday afternoon.
Mata and Bustamonte are both being held in the Kern County Jail without bond and are scheduled to return to court on Aug. 14 for pre-preliminary hearings, records show.
