A 31-year-old father and a 27-year-old stepmother in California have been accused of torturing their 8-year-old daughter to death, allegedly pouring scalding hot water on her skin and crushing her hands before beating her to death.
Ray Mata Jr. and Graciela Bustamonte were arrested over the weekend and charged with a number of felonies, including one count of first-degree murder in the horrific death of Genesis A. Mata, according to records.
According to the Bakersfield Police Department, officers responded to the La Quinta Inn in the 3200 block of Riverside Drive around 5:37 p.m. on Saturday for a reported medical emergency involving an unresponsive child in a bathtub. The caller allegedly stated that they learned from someone else that the child could be in danger.
When first responders arrived at the scene, they reported knocking on the bathroom door but receiving no response from the locked door. Police forced the door open and discovered the unresponsive 8-year-old girl, later identified as Genesis.
Genesis was pronounced dead at the scene, with authorities citing visible signs of “substantial trauma.”
A probable cause affidavit obtained by Bakersfield CBS affiliate KBAK provided more information about the circumstances that authorities believe contributed to Genesis’ death.
According to the report, authorities stated in the affidavit that Mata and Bustamonte spent two days “working in tandem” to repeatedly torture Genesis in a variety of ways, including pouring hot water directly onto her skin, causing severe burns.
The couple also allegedly smashed the victim’s hands so severely that her fingernails fell off.
“Cases like this are especially tragic, especially when you’re dealing with juvenile victims and some of the most innocent in our community,” Bakersfield Police Assistant Chief Brent Stratton told Bakersfield’s dual NBC/CW affiliate KGET. “The significant amount of trauma that the child experienced and was subjected to is what prompted the charges of torture. Our investigators say this is one of the most significant cases they’ve ever seen.”
The investigation led to the arrests of Mata and Bustamonte on Sunday morning. They appeared in Kent County Superior Court on Tuesday and both pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Mata reportedly admitted to police that he punched Genesis in the stomach, causing her to lose consciousness and eventually die. Bustamonte allegedly admitted to participating in several torturous acts that resulted in her stepdaughter’s death.
Genesis’ cousin, Sabrina Guerrero, attended the proceedings and told local ABC affiliate KERO that multiple family members had reported Mata and Bustamonte to Child Protective Services, claiming there were “big time” signs the child was being abused and that “the system failed” her young cousin.
A GoFundMe page started by another cousin stated that Genesis was “full of life, had a beautiful spirit, and loved anything that sparkled.” As of Wednesday afternoon, the page had raised nearly $4,000 toward its $20,000 goal.
Mata and Bustamonte are both being held in the Kern County Jail without bond and are scheduled to appear in court on August 14 for pre-preliminary hearings, according to records.
