The case of a couple from Phoenix who are accused of abusing their three adopted children and hiding the dead body of another in the attic for more than two years has caused shock in the USA.
The body of the 11-year-old was accidentally discovered by the Fire Brigade who was called to put out a fire in the house.
According to the Phoenix Police Department, they found the bones behind the plasterboard wall.
The father allegedly admitted to the authorities that the body belonged to 11-year-old Ana Loera, also known as Charisma Marquez, who in July 2017, according to his testimony, became seriously ill.
According to the father, she died in their arms, while they were taking her to the hospital because they were afraid that the authorities would take them and the other children, they hid the body in the attic.
Police were called home a week earlier when another 11-year-old girl called authorities, saying she was alone at home.
The girl, in fact, as she stated to the police, had been left alone at home for two whole days and was hungry. She showed signs of abuse and allegedly told them that she had an older sister, who disappeared in 2017.
Shortly before the fire, the authorities had decided to remove two more children aged 4 and 9 from the house.
Source: sigmalive