In a heartbreaking incident of child abuse, a 10-year-old girl was tragically strangled and dismembered on her birthday, with her remains later set on fire.
Victoria Martens was found to have been sexually abused by her mother based on an autopsy report released months after police responded to a 911 call regarding a domestic dispute. The officers discovered the young girl’s remains partially wrapped in a burning blanket at Michelle’s residence in 2018.
Following the discovery, Michelle, aged 35, her boyfriend Fabian Gonzales, 31, and Gonzales’ cousin Jessica Kelley, also 31, were arrested and charged with various offenses, including first-degree murder, child abuse resulting in harm or death, kidnapping, evidence tampering, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Michelle admitted to one count of child abuse resulting in death, initially claiming that Victoria had been given alcohol and methamphetamine to sedate her for sexual acts. However, subsequent investigations revealed only alcohol in the girl’s system, which was insufficient to impair her cognitive abilities.
Authorities alleged that Michelle witnessed Gonzales raping and killing her daughter, while Gonzales and Kelley were accused of dismembering the body as per court documents. Despite these claims, Gonzales denied any involvement in the crime.
Michelle’s attorney, Gary Mitchell, found the autopsy results beneficial for the defense, while Kelley’s attorney, Mark Earnest, declined to comment on the matter. Search warrants indicated that Michelle had sought men online to assault her daughter, admitting to allowing at least three men to abuse the child.
The trials of Gonzales and Kelley were postponed to 2022, while Michelle accepted a plea deal for child abuse resulting in death in 2018. Gonzales had several charges dropped, ultimately facing conviction on child abuse resulting in death and evidence tampering, resulting in a 37-and-a-half-year prison sentence with parole eligibility after serving half the term.
Michelle received a 12-year prison sentence but was released on October 14. Kelley pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including reckless child abuse resulting in death, receiving a 44-year sentence in 2022, with expectations of serving less than half of the term.