Suspects arrested in Child Abuse case that “shocks the soul”

MESA, AZ  –  Two people have been arrested in connection to a severe child abuse case that police say “shocks the soul.”

The Mesa Police Department says a 3-year-old girl was found in a trash bag, covered in feces, duct-taped and hidden in a closet.  The girl’s mother, Mayra Solis and her friend, Fransisco Javier Rios-Covarrubias, have been arrested.

According to police, Solis would leave the girl with Covarrubias at his home while she was at work, and he would put the girl in a closet for hours, and possibly days at a time.  The child was found by police after a man, who Covarrubias met online, went to the suspect’s home and was offered the girl for sexual activities.

“@mesapd says mother of 3yo found bound in closet had shaved head of daughter to pander for money, claiming she had cancer.  Mom is homeless.” — Liz Kotalik (@LizKotalik) January 19, 2016

Police also say the girl’s head was shaved because Solis pandered her for money and claimed she had cancer.

Covarrubias has been charged with sex trafficking, kidnapping, sexual conduct with a minor and child abuse.  Solis is facing child abuse charges.