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A 12-year-old girl told investigators she was forced to crawl naked on the floor and bark like a dog before escaping months of alleged torture at her sisters’ home. texas Home.
Brenda Garcia, 38, and Tania Garcia, 37, are now behind bars, accused of holding the girl hostage in their Conroe home, starving her and beating her with belts, cords and sticks.
according to Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, The girl escaped on September 28 and told detectives that the sisters physically and sexually abused her for months.
Court documents received 11alive The allegations detail disturbing details – including that the sisters forced her to eat dirt and hair off the floor, tied her to furniture with zip ties, and allowed her to only eat ramen noodles and drink water twice a day.
At one point, Brenda allegedly strangled the girl with a belt and told her to “just die already,” according to investigators.
When deputies found the child, she had visible injuries all over her body, including an infected wound on her forehead. The girl, whose name was not released, was taken to Texas Children’s Hospital in The Woodlands, where doctors confirmed signs of abuse, neglect and malnutrition.
“The child was taken to a local hospital, where medical staff confirmed the injuries were caused by abuse and malnutrition,” the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “She is safe and receiving medical care and support services.”
Detectives say surveillance video from inside the home and footage found on Brenda’s cell phone support the girl’s account. He said he also found text messages in which Brenda allegedly admitted to killing the child.
When questioned, the sisters denied the allegations and told investigators that the girl was “psychopathic” and had injured herself.
Both women were arrested on October 3 and charged with injury to a child and unlawful restraint. Brenda also faces an additional charge of recording an offensive scene. She is being held on bonds totaling $280,000, while her sister Tania is being held on $200,000.
Sheriff Wesley Doolittle described the case as “extremely disturbing” and praised the victim for having the courage to come forward.
“The safety and well-being of children will always be my top priority,” Doolittle said. “This case is extremely disturbing, but it also highlights the importance of community awareness and the courage to speak out. Together, we can protect the most vulnerable among us and ensure that justice is served.”
Investigators said the girl previously lived with an uncle in Houston who allegedly sexually assaulted her. She told detectives she asked for help from Brenda, who knew her uncle. Brenda picked her up from school in March and took her to Conroe, the girl said, but instead of providing shelter, the abuse allegedly continued.
Detectives said Child Protective Services (CPS) was looking for the girl, but Brenda told them she had moved back to Honduras with her biological mother.
A District Attorney’s Office representative in Montgomery County told ABC 13, “With regard to any other arrests, the investigation is ongoing, and to protect the integrity of the case we cannot provide anything at this time.”
The investigation remains “active and ongoing,” MCSO said.
“To protect the privacy of the child and maintain the integrity of the case, no further details will be released at this time,” officials said.
If you suspect child abuse, call the ChildHelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD or 1-800-422-4453, or visit www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential.