[DiamondSmiles]

By Cortney Peltz
hln.com

May 28, 2015

Arizona authorities are investigating the death of a 3 year old girl, who police believe was the victim of prolonged physical and sexual abuse and weighed only 15 pounds when she was hospitalized.

On May 23, the El Mirage Fire Department was called to the girl’s home in Surprise to provide emergency medical treatment to the unresponsive child, identified as 3 year old Alexandra Velazco-Tercerro.

Alexandra remained unresponsive and was transported to a hospital, where additional life saving measures were attempted, according to authorities.

However, “All efforts to revive Alexandra were unsuccessful and she was pronounced dead at the hospital,” the Surprise police said in a news release.

Detectives then responded to the hospital to investigate the child’s death and immediately observed evidence of significant physical trauma to multiple areas of her body, according to the news release.

The 15 pound toddler was also abnormally thin for a 3 year old, officials said.

Police suspect she was the victim of prolonged physical abuse and neglect, as well as sexual abuse, according to the news release.

An autopsy is scheduled to be performed by the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the toddler’s cause of death.

Investigators interviewed Alexandra’s parents, 36 year old Rosemary Velazco and 28 year old Carlos Cruz, and allegedly learned that both parents used physical punishment against her, the news release states.

Investigators later searched their home and discovered additional evidence of abuse, authorities said.

Cruz and Velazco were taken into custody on $500,000 bond and charged with child abuse and neglect.

Authorities said the couple had previous contact with Child Protective Services years before the girl’s death.

In 2011, Alexandra and her older sibling were removed from the home after officials received a report that their mother tested positive for amphetamines at Alexandra’s birth.

The Arizona Department of Child Safety later closed the case after the parents successfully completed substance abuse and parent aide services. They were then reunited with their children in 2012, according to a news release from the agency.

The Department of Child Safety and the Office of Child Welfare Investigations are now joining the Surprise Police Department to investigate the child’s death.

The police department said the investigation is in its early stages and any additional charges are pending further investigation and the results of the autopsy.

The couple is scheduled to appear back in court on June 1.

HLN was unable to reach an attorney for either parent.

[Pyramid_Head]

Fucking despicable.

[BadmouthBetty]

I'm a pro choice, Obama loving, tree saving hippie that certainly disagrees with capital punishment.

However when I see these type of cases I want blood, pain and the same torture methods these shit bags used on that poor kid

[OhJstFkOffAlrdy]

Originally Posted by BadmouthBetty ↗

I'm a pro choice, Obama loving, tree saving hippie that certainly disagrees with capital punishment.

However when I see these type of cases I want blood, pain and the same torture methods these shit bags used on that poor kid

Then perhaps you may wish to rethink your political ideals.

[BadmouthBetty]

[DiamondSmiles]

Originally Posted by BadmouthBetty ↗

I'm a pro choice, Obama loving, tree saving hippie that certainly disagrees with capital punishment.

However when I see these type of cases I want blood, pain and the same torture methods these shit bags used on that poor kid

I agree! An eye for an eye!

[tbone79]

Somebody get the tires and the gas can, we're going to a barbecue...

[mrm1109]

They look a lot older than what the article says.

I've experimented with a lot of ADHD medication as a teen and one of the reasons I stopped was I didn't wanna look old. This couple is a perfect example!

Is it bad that I no longer find this stuff shocking? Yes, it makes me sick to my stomach, but, it never surprises me what people do anymore.

[DiamondSmiles]

Originally Posted by mrm1109 ↗

They look a lot older than what the article says.

I've experimented with a lot of ADHD medication as a teen and one of the reasons I stopped was I didn't wanna look old. This couple is a perfect example!

Is it bad that I no longer find this stuff shocking? Yes, it makes me sick to my stomach, but, it never surprises me what people do anymore.

I think they were arrested for illegal drugs. The baby tested positive for amphetamines.

I'm guessing meth, plus the usual, cigarettes and liquor.

No offense intended with the cigarettes and liquor comment. You're still beautiful! xx

[kellyhound]

hope these animals get an early death inside prison