An Arizona grandmother has been indicted by a grand jury following the tragic death of her teenage granddaughter who suffered from a rare form of epilepsy and cognitive impairments. The 55-year-old grandmother, Virginia Lujan, has been charged with child abuse and other crimes after her granddaughter was found unresponsive in their Tempe townhouse.
Police discovered the girl lying on the living room floor with marks and bruising on her body. She was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Shockingly, authorities found that the victim had been kept in a makeshift enclosure created from a bunk bed, with unsanitary conditions prevalent throughout the home.
The police chief emphasized the need to seek justice for the vulnerable child and highlighted the community's shared responsibility to protect children from harm. The investigation revealed that the victim was one of five children under Lujan's care, with the living conditions described as disorderly and filthy.
The court documents detailed the disturbing setup of the enclosure, which included plastic baby gates attached to bed rails to form walls, held together with zip ties. Human waste was also found within the enclosure, indicating the appalling conditions the victim was subjected to.
The victim's mother had transferred guardianship of her children to Lujan in 2021, and at the time of the incident, they were living in cramped quarters in the townhouse. None of the children were enrolled in school, further highlighting the neglect they faced.
Following the victim's death, Lujan was arrested and is currently held on a $500,000 bond. Charges against her include tampering with evidence, tampering with a witness, and contributing to the dependency of a child. The mother of the victim was also arrested but released pending charges.
This heartbreaking case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children and holding accountable those who fail in their duty of care.
