LA Stepmom Charged With Torture After Girls Escape Dog Cage
Sonia Marquez, 52, faces five felony counts after allegedly locking two girls, ages 9 and 11, in a dog cage as punishment in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Woman Faces Torture Charges After Girls Escape Dog Cage
A Los Angeles woman is facing five felony counts after allegedly confining two young girls in a dog cage as punishment, NY Post Metro reports. The children, aged 9 and 11, escaped and were taken in by a nearby adult who then called police.
Sonia Marquez, 52, pleaded not guilty Friday on two counts of torture and two counts of child abuse likely to cause injury. She was arrested Wednesday in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles.
The girls told investigators that their stepmother had been locking them inside the cage periodically as a form of punishment. They were reportedly too frightened to return home after escaping. A neighboring adult sheltered them and contacted authorities. The Los Angeles Fire Department transported both children to a hospital, where they received treatment before being placed in the custody of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.
Police described the situation as involving "severe neglect in her care." Investigators believe the alleged abuse began at least as far back as February. It remains unclear how long the children were kept inside the cage at any one time. Police have not confirmed whether the adult who initially took the girls in was a relative.
Marquez faces a fifth felony child-abuse count linked to a 12-year-old girl. Prosecutor Jonathan Hatami identified that girl as Marquez's biological daughter, according to MyNewsLA. Unlike the charges involving the two younger girls, this count does not allege that Marquez inflicted bodily injury.
Marquez is being held on $2.75 million bail and is currently housed at the Century Regional Detention Facility, according to jail records. There are no outstanding suspects, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Source: NY Post Metro