Three members of a family, including the mother and grandparents, were arrested and charged in the brutal killing of an 11-year-old girl in California on Aug. 30, authorities said Tuesday.

Leticia McCormack, 49, Stanley Tom, 75, and Adella Tom, 70, were arrested Monday in connection with the death of young Arabella McCormack, CBS8 reported.

They were charged with three counts of torture, three counts of willful cruelty to a child and murder, according to a statement issued by The San Diego Sheriff's Department.

Authorities said in the statement that an investigation was launched on Aug. 30 after deputies from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff's station responded to a distress call regarding a child at a home in the 3300 block of Lakeview Drive in San Diego County's Spring Valley. When first responders arrived at the residence at around 2:00 a.m., they found the 11-year-old girl in need of immediate attention and took her to the hospital.

"While in the hospital, Arabella's health declined and she died," the statement added.

During the probe, detectives found signs of possible child abuse, prompting a homicide investigation. The girl suffered "severe levels of malnourishment" and her body had signs of bruising, sheriff's Lt. Chris Steffen said, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.

An investigation conducted by Child Welfare Services determined Arabella died due to child abuse and neglect, court documents reportedly revealed.

As part of the investigation, deputies also contacted the girl's father, Brian McCormack. However, he died by suicide in their presence during questioning, as per the statement. It remained unclear if Brian, who was a Border Patrol agent, was involved in the alleged child abuse or why he took his own life.

Leticia and her parents also allegedly abused and tortured Arabella's two sisters, aged 6 and 7, Steffen added. The three girls were adopted by Leticia and her husband. The two sisters are now living with a foster family, Steffen said further.

"The safety of our children is of paramount importance to the Sheriff's Department," Steffen said in the statement, according to the outlet. "Gathering evidence and conducting interviews must be done methodically while protecting the children and preserving the rights of parents and family members."

If you have thoughts of suicide, confidential help is available for free at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 1-800-273-8255. The line is available 24 hours, every day.

Read more
child abuse
child abuse pixabay