Global Courant 2023-05-29 04:44:35
An Arizona mom faces life behind bars after pleading guilty this month to locking her 6-year-old son in a closet and starving him to death.
Elizabeth Archibeque reached a plea deal with prosecutors, the Arizona Daily Sun first reported Saturday.
Archibeque was arrested along with the boy’s father, Anthony Martinez, and grandmother, Ann Martinez, in March 2020.
Anthony Jose Archibeque-Martinez, from left, Elizabeth Archibeque-Martinez and Ann Marie Martinez. (Coconino County Sheriff’s Office)
Police said Archibeque’s two sons, 6-year-old Deshaun Martinez, and his 7-year-old brother, were held in a closet for about 16 hours a day for about 16 hours a day and denied food at the family’s Flagstaff home. about two hours north of town. from Phoenix.
An autopsy found Martinez, died of starvation in March 2020. Authorities had said he weighed just 18 pounds — well below average for his age.
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The boy’s parents initially attributed their son’s malnourishment to a medical condition and to taking diet or caffeine pills. They eventually told police that they kept Deshaun and his older brother in a closet for 16 hours a day and gave them little to eat. The brother survived.
Police said the boys’ detention was punishment for stealing food while the parents slept.
Archibeque was charged along with the boy’s father and grandmother. Their cases were tried separately.
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Archibeque will be sentenced later this summer. The terms of the plea deal state that she is not eligible for probation, and if she is sentenced to life in prison, she will not be eligible for any form of parole or work release.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Bradford Betz is a Fox News Digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues and much more.
