“What happened to this little girl is … horrific”.
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This Aug. 25, 2016 booking photo provided by the Metropolitan Detention Center shows Fabian Gonzales. Albuquerque police are charging Gonzales along with two other people in the death of a 10-year-old girl a kill.
Police spokesman Tanner Tixier emotionally told reporters the girl’s body was so mutilated that investigators were unsure how she died.
Albuquerque school officials identified the girl Thursday afternoon, saying in a statement that “Victoria is in our thoughts and prayers as we hold our children just a little tighter on this sad day”.
The complex where Victoria Martens lived has opened up the property to mourners who wanted to pay their respects Thursday evening.
The crowd at the plaza also honored the short life Victoria had with the birthday celebration she never got.
“They want to trust everyone”, a man at the vigil said.
Zorn and her daughter Shalynn met Victoria and her mother two years ago.
Gonzales’ criminal history dates back to 2004.
According to New Mexico Courts, Kelley and another woman were previously charged with raping a woman. It was unclear whether he was convicted of most charges, but he did plead no contest to a charge of child abandonment.
Kelley remained at a hospital Wednesday night.
Details of the torment she endured early Wednesday morning are emerging.
The girl’s 35-year-old mother and her 31-year-old boyfriend have been arrested in the killing and each are being held on $1 million bond.
At Petroglyph Elementary School – where Victoria was a fourth grader – students, parents, teachers, and administrators struggled to absorb the news.
Kelley and Gonzales reportedly proceeded to sexually assault the child after drugging her.
Police are accusing a New Mexico mother of helping drug and sexually assault her 10-year-old daughter hours before her birthday party on August 24.
APD officers found the girl in a bathtub brutally murdered, partially wrapped in a blanket and on fire at the Arroyo Villas apartments.
People who knew a 10-year-old Albuquerque girl police say was drugged, raped, strangled and stabbed say the child was well-liked and friendly.
A neighbor, Paulina Quintana, said that the day before Victoria was killed, she seemed excited about her upcoming party.
“She was incredibly social”, Zamora said.
The girl’s mother, 35-year-old Michelle Martens, her 31-year-old boyfriend, Fabian Gonzales, and his 31-year-old cousin, Jessica Kelley, are facing charges. Gonzales told reporters and police he wasn’t involved in the crime, putting the blame on Kelley.
A caller told a police dispatcher before dawn Wednesday that there was a disturbance in the apartment, said Albuquerque Police Chief Gorden Eden Jr.
Relatives and friends left flowers, balloons and stuffed animals under a tree. He says residents are shocked by her death and hope the suspects face justice.
At that point, authorities allege the group stabbed and strangled the girl to death. The mother’s boyfriend and his cousin are also suspects.
Gonzales and Kelly faced several charges, including criminal sexual penetration of a minor and child abuse resulting in great bodily harm or death, according to the TV station. Gonzales also faces a charge of kidnapping, as does Martens. They found the girl’s remains under a burning blanket.
The Albuquerque Police Department has revealed more details in the horrifying case of a murdered 10-year-old New Mexico girl whom they found on Wednesday morning in the bathtub of a northwest Albuquerque apartment complex.
Police said Gonzales and Kelley face additional rape charges. Tixier said she showed no remorse when talking to detectives, the Albuquerque Journal reported.
Michelle Martens and Fabian Gonzales are set to appear in court Thursday.
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New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez says what happened to the little girl “is unspeakable and justice should come down like a hammer” on whoever is responsible.
