How Could You? Hall of Shame-Leah Marie Aguirre case-Child Death UPDATED

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Crosbyton, Texas, temporary guardian Matilda Almaraz has been charged with capital murder in the death of missing 2-year-old Leah Marie Aguirre. Leah’s dead body was found  wrapped in plastic and intentionally hidden on a shelf behind a box of clothing in Matilda’s basement. Matilda remains jailed in lieu of a $1 Million bail.

KCBD says, “Leah’s mother Tina Aguirre had given temporary custody of her daughter to Almaraz back in September while she took care of a sick aunt. Tina only knew Almaraz through a friend on Facebook, and says she rarely saw Leah after that. She says the last time she was able to get a hold of Almaraz was on Christmas Eve.

Weeks later, Almaraz told police that a man going by the name Miguel posed as a CPS worker and took Leah back on January 3rd. She didn’t report Leah missing until days later on January 8th.

Chief Parrott says when the investigation started they searched Almaraz’s home, but found nothing out of the ordinary. An immediate Amber Alert was sent out with the information about the man Almaraz says took Leah.

However on Thursday FBI agents brought Almaraz in for more questioning which led them to a second search of her home.

“Through some statements made by her in the interview there appeared to be great concern for a particular area in the house so the FBI agents focused their efforts there,” Parrott said. “You really had to have been there to understand and grasp how well concealed her little remains were; they were behind a shelf, in the basement, in a box under clothing, wrapped in plastic bags. The person who concealed her went through great lengths to do so.”

Parrott says they will have to wait for an autopsy to determine how long her body had been hidden and her cause of death.

“We were all hoping and praying for a different ending. Although we’ve lost this baby we still owe this child and the child’s family a professional investigation so that justice can now be sought for those responsible for her demise,” Parrott said.

Parrott says they do not know if there is any truth in Almaraz’s story about the man posing as a CPS worker. He also says they are continuing to question people at this time and it’s unsure if there will be any additional arrests.”

CBS Houston says “Leah Marie’s mother had turned the child over to Almaraz, but it’s unclear when, said Texas Department of Family and Protective Services spokesman Paul Zimmerman. Child welfare officials found out in October because they were already working with the child’s mother and saw that Leah Marie wasn’t living with her. But Almaraz was allowed to keep the toddler after an agency inspection and background check, he said.”

Sources:

Leah Aguirre found dead in caregiver’s basement

[KCBD 1/10/13 by Tiffany Pelt]

Autopsy Results Pending On Kid’s Body Found In Box

[CBS Houston 1/13/13 by Associated Press]

Texas Digest: Caretaker charged after child’s body found in box

[Statesman 1/12/13]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Update:”A Crosbyton woman has been sentenced to life in prison in connection to the death of a toddler in January.

Crosbyton woman sentenced to life for murder of toddler [Fox 34 11/13/13 ]