The tragic death of a 13-year-old epilepsy-stricken girl has been declared a homicide, as reports surface of her confinement in a “makeshift cage” within her grandmother’s residence in Arizona.
Melony Granados, who had a severe form of epilepsy along with cognitive challenges, functioned at the developmental stage of a 3-year-old. She had been under the guardianship of her grandmother, Virginia Lujan.
Lujan, 55, was charged in February with child abuse and related offenses in the teen’s death, prosecutors said.
The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office recently confirmed Granados’ death was ruled a homicide, ABC15 reported.
“During the investigation, authorities found that a bunk bed had been converted into a makeshift cell where the victim was confined for long durations, amidst horribly unhygienic conditions in the home,” mentioned the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office at the time.
Granados, who struggled with epilepsy and serious cognitive disabilities, was among the five children of Lujan’s daughter, Jami Hodges. Hodges had previously assigned the custody of four of her children to Lujan.
Police units respond to an emergency. (Getty Images)
In February, Lujan faced indictment on several counts, such as child abuse, tampering with evidence, and contributing to a child’s dependency, as reported by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, and the Tempe Police Department did not offer an immediate response to inquiries from Fox News Digital. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office also refrained from comments.
