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In a harrowing case from California, a woman and her boyfriend face 27 charges of torture and child abuse, accused of horrifically mistreating the woman’s 11-year-old niece. Allegations against the couple include strangling the child, dragging her with a dog leash, and forcing her to endure harsh conditions by making her sleep in an uninsulated garage.
According to the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office, the case came to light when someone reported that the young girl was resisting returning home due to “physical abuse” inflicted by her aunt. This prompted an investigation that unveiled the chilling details of her ordeal.
The authorities conducted an interview with the girl, during which she recounted a prolonged history of physical abuse. A subsequent search of the residence, supported by a warrant, revealed surveillance footage that confirmed the victim’s testimony. Investigators also uncovered evidence that the child had been living primarily in the garage and backyard, far from suitable living conditions.
Officials described the garage as a non-converted space, devoid of essential amenities such as heating, air conditioning, and insulation. This neglect left the child vulnerable to extreme temperatures throughout the year, posing significant health risks.
Priscilla Mestaz, 37, and Anthony Machuca, 36, admitted to detectives that they had custody of the girl since 2024. The case has since attracted significant attention, highlighting the ongoing issues of child welfare and abuse.
The investigation was launced on January 31, and arrested Machuca when they made initial contact with the couple at the home. Mestaz’s arrest was delayed because she was pregnant and near term. She was arrested on March 12 after the birth of the child.
The newborn and a 4-year-old child were taken into protective custody by Stanislaus County Child Protective Services.The sheriff’s office did not reveal the status of the 11-year-old girl.
The Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office filed a criminal complaint against the pair on Monday, charging them with 27 felony and misdemeanor counts. The most serious charges include torture, conspiracy to commit torture, child endangerment, injury to a child, assault with a deadly weapon, and criminal threats.
“Among the acts referenced are repeated physical abuse including strangulation, punching, and slapping; forcing the child to sleep in an uninsulated, unfinished garage without bedding or heat during winter months; withholding adequate nutrition causing the child to become malnourished; forcing the child to perform strenuous physical exercise to the point of exhaustion under threat of assault; restraining and dragging the child with a dog leash; and subjecting the child to sustained verbal abuse and threats of injury,” the sheriff’s office said.
Investigators say more charges are possible as they sift through evidence.
Mestaz and Machuca are being held on $1 million bonds.