A Texas couple was arrested for the death of a 5-year-old girl who was reportedly abused and tortured.
Mercedes Lasoya, 5, died after her mother, Katrina Mendoza, 22, took her to the hospital. Investigators later found out that the girl suffered from extreme physical abuse including missing hair and toenails, bruises, scratches, cuts, and swelling all over her body.
Neighbors and their relatives said that they already called the authorities number of times to help the kid, but despite all their efforts, the victim remained in the couple’s home.
Medoza said that the abuse started 3 weeks ago when she asked her boyfriend Jose Ruiz, 25, to help her discipline her daughter. She claimed that she witnessed his boyfriend get dog feces and force her daughter to put it in her mouth.
Mendoza also said that there’s a time when Ruiz will shove a urine-soaked sock in Losoya’s mouth and yanked it out, causing her to lose two teeth. She also alleged that her boyfriend repeatedly struck her daughter with belts and his hands, which were covered in rings.
However, on the WOAI report, Ruiz told the authorities that Mendoza was the only person who abuse Losoya for a long time, he said that he only slapped Losoya’s buttocks, put her in the corner, and made her keep her arms raised once.
He also claimed that Losaya’s 6-years-old sister ripped out her hair. According to the news outlet, the 6-year-old sister provided an account that corresponded with her mother’s statements to the police.
The autopsy concluded that Losoya suffered extreme abuse and torture while authorities believe the girl’s bruised hands were the result of her trying to defend herself in addition to extensive injuries.
Emily Losoya, the victim’s aunt, told that Mendoza favored her other daughter over Losoya and that the abuse began when Losoya was weeks old. Losoya’s family did their best to try to get her custody but didn’t succeed.
Mendoza had old paperwork so that CPS would favor whatever she said. Emily has said that it will lead to Losoya’s death before CPS realize that Mendoza is not fit to be a mother to those poor kids.
The neighbors told WOAI that they repeatedly called San Antonio police and Child Protective Services many times about the violence happening to Mendoza’s house.
Gabriel Granado, who shares a wall with Ruiz, alleged he 1st called authorities on Thanksgiving because they have been hearing beating sounds like hitting the hand for the past weeks,” I would say 50 hits like that”, he stated.
Granado said that her fiancé reportedly called the police on Saturday, days before Losoya’s death. Despite this, the girl was never removed from his home. “We did what we could, I lost faith,” he added.
Jose Luiz and Katrina Mendoza are charged with injury to a child and will face a lot more additional charges as a criminal investigation is still ongoing.
Police said the victim’s 6-year-old sister was interviewed and she provided additional details that were consistent with the statements from the mom.
An autopsy was performed on the victim and officials advised police it was clear the child had suffered extreme abuse and torture, according to an arrest affidavit. The 6-year-old child has been removed from the family and placed in the care of the state due to the nature of this investigation.
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