13-year-old kept in cage dies at hospital; mother and grandmother charged

Two women were arrested on child abuse charges after police say they found a 13-year-old girl, with the mental capacity of a three-year-old, covered in bruises and sores.

According to Tempe Police, the girl was rushed to the hospital due to the severity of her injuries on Tuesday, Jan. 21. She was pronounced dead on Wednesday morning.

Detectives find ‘makeshift cage’

What we know:

Detectives conducted a search warrant where they found what they called a makeshift cage.

The mother, 33-year-old Jami Hodges, and 55-year-old grandmother, Virginia Lujan, were both arrested and admitted that the cage was used to keep "control" of the girl.

Lujan was temporarily taking care of Hodges' five children, and she told police that the child had fallen down the stairs on Sunday. Hodges said that she was not aware of the fall. 

Virginia Lujan

Hodges was booked into jail and released, pending charges, police said. Lujan remains in police custody.

Police say Hodges was temporarily staying with Lujan but had not seen her 13-year-old daughter very often. 

"This case is on-going and still actively being investigated," police said. "More charges could be pending as more evidence is discovered."

More information on the incident is expected to be released by police on Thursday.

Tempe Police Chief speaks out on case

On Jan. 23, Tempe Police held a news conference on the case.

The conference was attended by a number of police officials, including the city's police chief, Ken McCoy, who read a prepared statement to those in attendance.

What The Police Chief Said:

"No child should ever have to endure suffering. We are committed to uncovering the truth and seeking justice on her behalf," said Chief McCoy. "The tragic loss of a child is a profound reminder of our shared responsibility to protect the most vulnerable in our community. Investigations like this demand meticulous attention to detail and sensitivity to the emotional toll that it takes on everyone involved. The Tempe Police Department is committed to holding these individuals responsible and ensuring that no child endures this type of suffering."

Neighbors stunned by girl's death

What they're saying:

People living in the condo complex where the girl was found were horrified to hear what allegedly happened.

Several neighbors burst into tears when they heard the news. Many said they saw other children outside the home, but they did not see the 13-year-old girl and were unaware she even lived there.

One neighbor told FOX 10 off-camera she witnessed the teen being taken away on a gurney to the hospital, looking pale and frail.

Another neighbor, who asked that we not show her face and conceal her voice, is aghast at what allegedly happened just steps away from her home. 

A haunting mural could be seen from the family's window. While it could be a Halloween decoration, it could be representative of something much darker.

A haunting mural found in the window of a home where a 13-year-old girl was found badly injured from what police believe was the result of extreme neglect.

"I’m in disbelief. It just rocked me… I still got to… I still got to process it. Because it’s just right here! And it’s a child!" she said.

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