(CNN)Candles,
flowers and stuffed animals mark the memorial for a 10-year-old girl,
who New Mexico police said was brutally murdered. Three people arrested
in the case include her own mother.
Victoria
Martens had just started fourth grade at an Albuquerque elementary
school and celebrated her 10th birthday Tuesday. On Wednesday, she was
killed in what police described as a "horrific" crime.
Friends
and family honored the victim during a vigil Thursday, with one person
saying Victoria Martens will always be remembered by her smile.
On Sunday, a birthday party is planned in honor of the little girl. A Facebook page titled Princess Victoria's Heavenly Birthday
is asking people to show up at an Albuquerque park wearing purple --
Victoria's favorite color. So far, more than 2,000 people say they are
attending.
Albuquerque Police
identified the suspects in her killing as Victoria's mother, Michelle
Martens, her mother's boyfriend, Fabian Gonzales and Gonzales' cousin,
Jessica Kelley.
According
to a criminal complaint obtained by CNN, officers arrived to discover
two adults with minor injuries and saw a third adult attempt to flee the
family apartment by jumping off a balcony.
When
police entered the apartment, it was filled with smoke and they
discovered the body of Victoria Martens partially wrapped in a burning
blanket, inside a bath tub, police say.
According
to the complaint, the child had no pulse, her left leg was almost
completely cut off and both arms were missing. She was pronounced dead
at the scene.
The child's mother,
Michelle Martens, told police the young girl was given methamphetamine
"to calm her down" and that Fabian Gonzales had sex with her, according
to the complaint.
Martens told
police Gonzales choked her daughter to death. Gonzales denied any
involvement in the killing, telling police it was Kelley, who he
identified as his cousin, who stabbed and dismembered the young girl.
Kelley was recently released from prison and was staying with Martens at the time of the slaying, Martens told police. CNN affiliate KOAT says both Kelley and Gonzales have extensive criminal records.
The mother apparently had a traffic citation in the past, according to the affiliate.
Martens
was charged in court Thursday with kidnapping and child abuse resulting
in death. Gonzales faces the same charges as well as child rape.
Kelley,
who had been hospitalized with foot injury, appeared in court Saturday.
She was charged with kidnapping, child abuse resulting in death and
child rape.
During Kelley's court
appearance, Judge Chris Schultz said "the crimes ... display a depth of
depravity that is unfathomable to me."
All three suspects are being held on $1 million bond.
Attorney Tom Clark, who told CNN he represents Gonzales, said he would meet with his client next week.
Attorneys representing Michelle Martens and Jessica Kelley did not return calls from CNN.
No comments:
Post a Comment