A little girl who was allegedly physically and sexually abused by two sisters has fled their house of horrors after escaping her restraints, court documents state.
The 12-year-old, whose identity is being withheld for her own protection, was allegedly held captive in Brenda Garcia’s Montgomery County, Texas home.
Brenda, 38, and her sister Tania Garcia, 37, are accused of hitting the child with belts, cords and sticks, according to an arrest warrant affidavit obtained by KTRK.
The girl was also tied up, cut with scissors and choked around the neck with a belt until she couldn’t breathe, investigators allege.
She has lived with the sisters since March. Brenda took her in after the girl reported that her uncle, whom she lived with in Houston, had been sexually assaulting her.
But instead of providing her safety, the Garcias allegedly inflicted six more months of horrific abuse on the young girl.
She finally escaped on September 28 after she managed to break out of her restraints and flee the sisters’ Goodman Road home.
Investigators found the girl with injuries all over her body and a large gash on her head that had become infected, the affidavit claims.
Brenda Garcia, 38, has been charged with charged with felony Injury to a child, unlawful restraint, and invasive visual recording. She denies wrongdoing
Tania Garcia, 37, was arrested and charged with felony Injury to a child and unlawful restraint
The girl disclosed months of alleged physical and sexual abuse to detectives.
She told investigators how in one instance Brenda wrapped a belt around her neck and told her to ‘die’ as she choked her until she couldn’t breathe.
Brenda was also accused of taking nude photographs of the girl.
Detectives took the child to a nearby hospital, where medical staff confirmed that her injuries were consistent with abuse and malnutrition, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports.
The girl, whose biological mother lives in another country, is currently safe and receiving medical care and support services.
Police obtained and executed arrest warrants for Brenda and Tania on October 3.
The sisters were charged with felony Injury to a child and unlawful restraint, according to arrest records obtained by the Daily Mail. Brenda was also charged with invasive visual recording.
They remain jailed, with bond set at $200,000.
Brenda, who denies wrongdoing, claimed during her interview with detectives that the girl had manufactured the allegations of abuse.
A 12-year-old girl allegedly suffered months of physical and sexual abuse at the sisters’ home in Montgomery County, Texas
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains ‘active and ongoing’ and no further details will be released at this time.
It is unclear at this time if charges have been filed against the girl’s uncle in connection to the sexual assault allegations.
A spokesperson for the Montgomery County District Attorney’s office told KTRK: ‘Regarding any further arrests, the investigation is ongoing, and we cannot provide anything further right now to protect the integrity of the case.’
Sheriff Wesley Doolittle, in a statement obtained by the Daily Mail, called the case ‘deeply disturbing’ and vowed the ‘safety and well-being of children will always be my highest priority’.
‘This case is deeply disturbing, but it also highlights the importance of community awareness and the courage it takes to speak up,’ he said. ‘Together, we can protect the most vulnerable among us and ensure that justice is served.’