A Texas step-mom has been convicted of abusing her stepdaughter after the girl suffered years of psychological and physical abuse.
KWTX stated that Marisela Garcia, 47, was found guilty by jurors in Waco’s 19th State District Court after nearly six years of mistreating her stepdaughter. The jury’s decision to recommend the maximum sentence for Garcia was reached in just 15 minutes of deliberation.
The court records identify the child using the initials K.V.
Garcia subjected her stepdaughter, K.V., to appalling conditions from the ages of 6 to 12. She compelled K.V. to contemplate suicide, forced her to live in a squalid shed, physically abused her, and fed her from a trash can. The severity of the abuse deeply troubled even seasoned childcare professionals and law enforcement officers.
Dr. Whitney Crowson, a licensed clinical psychologist based in Houston, described K.V.’s experiences as torture and abuse that have profoundly impacted her. Dr. Crowson testified that in her professional career, this case was among the most severe instances of abuse she has encountered.
After Garcia’s conviction, K.V. gave an emotional impact statement to a courtroom full of people KWTX reported.
“You always told me no one would believe a little girl, but they did and still do,” she said. “I hope while you are in jail you repent what you did to me. This marks the new beginning in my life and now you have to live with it the rest of your life.”
District Attorney Josh Tetens said, “Our team is grateful to be among the dedicated professionals who stood between a truly evil perpetrator and this courageous child.
That group of professionals includes teachers, counselors, law enforcement officers, doctors, nurses, prosecutors, and victim advocates.
To any child who is secretly suffering, these heroes are waiting to listen, and to protect.”
K.V.’s father, Juan Velasquez, 33, has been charged with two counts of injury to a child for allowing Garcia to abuse his daughter. Count 1 could place him in prison for up to 20 years and Count 2 could render up to 10 years in prison. Both counts are felonies according to KWTX.
[Feature Photo: Maricella Garcia/Instagram via KWTX]
