Two parents from Tucson were arrested and jailed Thursday on child abuse charges after they called authorities to report that one of their 18-month-old twins was not breathing. That couple, Kristepher Benavidez, 25, and Monique Gaxiola, 30, are now facing murder charges in the death of their infant daughter, KVOA in Tuscon reported on March 15.
Emergency Medical Technicians from the Tucson Fire Department first went to the couple’s home on Wednesday after receiving the call that the baby girl wasn’t breathing. The EMTs transported the infant to the hospital and also contacted the Tucson Police Department.
Medical staff notified police that the child had non-accidental injuries.
The baby girl died Friday as a result of her injuries.
Police eventually found the infant’s twin and her 7-year-old sister staying with neighbors. Authorities determined that the other twin also had “non-accidental injuries.”
Tucson Police Department Sgt. Chris Widmer said that both children endured severe trauma resulting from abuse.
The Tucson PD’s investigation revealed that the father was the primary abuser. Widmer went on to say that the mother “was aware of the abuse but was too afraid to report it.”
Both Kristepher Benavidez and Monique Gaxiola were booked into Pima County Jail.
Bail for Benavidez was set at $20,000. Gaxiola’s bail was set at $5,000.
Also see:
Parents accused of caging and starving young daughter: Trial nears
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