A 13-year-old girl with the mental capacity of a 3-year-old, who was "kept caged", died as a result of abuse. Her grandmother and mother were both arrested.
Police in Tempe, Arizona were called to a home around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21st after a 13-year-old girl was found not breathing. Her grandmother, 55-year-old Virginia Lujan told first responders the child had fallen down the stairs on Sunday evening. She contended the girl had seemed fine so she had not sought medical help. The young girl was rushed to a nearby hospital where sadly she passed away Wednesday morning.
However, while being treated, officials noticed the girl was covered in bruises and sores at various stages of healing. The young girl suffered from cognitive delay and was mentally developed similarly to a 3-year-old.
While searching the home of Virginia Lujan, officers say they found a makeshift cage they believe the 13-year-old was kept in. According to reports they had modified a bunk bed so there was no bed on the bottom but rather baby cages and makeshift bars. In addition the conditions inside of the home were described as deplorable.
The 13-year-old along with her 4 siblings and mother had recently moved in with Virginia Lujan, who had been taking care of the children. The mother admitted she had not seen her 13-year-old daughter regularly since moving in with Lujan.
Virginia Lujan and the unnamed mother were initially arrested in connection with the child's death. The mother was booked and ultimately released until the conclusion of the investigation when charges could be filed.
Virginia Lujan was booked into jail on child abuse felonies with a possibility of additional charges at the conclusion of the investigation.
The 4 other children who resided in the home were placed into the custody of the state. It has been reported none of the children (ranging in age from 2 to 15) were enrolled in school.
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