Honk News (Tempe, AZ) – In Arizona, a grand jury has indicted the grandmother of a teenage girl who was found unresponsive and bruised in a makeshift cage on child abuse charges, according to authorities.
Virginia Lujan, 55, faces eight charges, including child abuse and tampering with evidence and a witness, according to a press release from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office on February 5.
Prosecutors stated that Lujan contacted 911 on an unspecified date, reporting that her 13-year-old granddaughter was unresponsive.
Tempe Police discovered a girl in a makeshift cage, showing signs of marks and bruises, according to the report. A girl was taken to the hospital and later pronounced dead.
Officers discovered a bunk bed that they allege was modified into a makeshift enclosure for the victim, who was held there for long durations, alongside extremely unsanitary conditions in the home, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Authorities had stated that Lujan was looking after her daughter’s five children for a short time and asserted that the girl had tumbled down the stairs, according to Fox 10 Phoenix. The girl’s mother was arrested alongside Lujan but has now been released while awaiting charges, as reported by the outlet.
Prosecutors stated that the girl experienced a rare type of epilepsy and had cognitive challenges. It is reported that her mental capacity was comparable to that of a 3-year-old child.
Lujan has a secured appearance bond set at $500,000, according to prosecutors. Her plea status and whether she has hired a lawyer remain uncertain.
Reference: Ariz. Grandmother Indicted in Death of 13-Year-Old Found with Bruises in Makeshift Cage