Phoenix woman sentenced to 32 years for adopted daughter's murder

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 02:02 · Archive

A Phoenix woman was sentenced to 32 years in prison for the murder of her adopted 9-year-old daughter, Charisma Marquez.

Maribel Loera was sentenced to 32 years in prison plus lifetime probation on Friday for the second-degree murder of her adopted 9-year-old daughter, Charisma Marquez, also known as Ana Loera. The girl's skeletal remains were discovered after a fire at a home in the Maryvale neighbourhood of Phoenix in January 2020.

Loera pleaded guilty in mid-September to second-degree murder, concealment of a body and nine counts of child abuse. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Bradley Astrowsky described the killing as 'cruel and depraved'. In court on Friday, Loera apologised 'to the victims for the physical, emotional and psychological damage that I've caused' and 'for the life that was lost'.

Surviving siblings testified about their trauma from the abuse they endured in Loera's care. A brother caring for two surviving siblings described their nightmares and lasting scars. A surviving sister testified that Loera hit children with sticks and slammed their heads into walls and floors. She described a head wound that was sewn shut at home with a needle and alcohol rather than treated at a hospital, and said she bore injuries to her head, arms, legs and shoulders.

The judge found genuine acceptance of responsibility as a mitigating factor but cited aggravating circumstances including multiple victims, breach of trust, the victim's age and the cruel nature of the murder.

How it is being reported

• Surviving siblings recount trauma as Phoenix woman sentenced for murdering girlA Phoenix woman received 32 years in prison after pleading guilty in the death of adopted 9-year-old Charisma Marquez, as surviving siblings described lasting trauma in court.KOLD · 16 Oct, 21:47
• Surviving siblings recount trauma as Phoenix woman sentenced for murdering girlA Phoenix woman received 32 years in prison after pleading guilty in the death of adopted 9-year-old Charisma Marquez, as surviving siblings described lasting trauma in court.Azfamily · 16 Oct, 21:47

In this story: Maribel Loera · Charisma Marquez · Phoenix · Maryvale · Maricopa County Superior Court

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