13-year-old girl died locked in a garage after her adoptive mother, whose job was to look after the welfare of children, subjected her to prolonged abuse and neglect

Florida – In a disturbing case in Florida, a 34-year-old woman, identified as D. Mack faces severe criminal charges following the death of her 13-year-old adopted daughter. Mack, a former child welfare worker, was arrested and charged with a series of grave offenses, including first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, kidnapping, and destroying evidence.

In the early hours of a Friday morning, authorities were summoned to what would become a deeply unsettling scene at Mack’s home. It was there that deputies responded to a distressing 911 call made by Mack herself at 12:19 a.m., reporting her daughter unresponsive.

Upon their arrival, deputies encountered a scene that Sheriff P. Blackman described as beyond any law enforcement preparation. “This is one of the most disturbing crime scenes I have encountered in more than 30 years of law enforcement,” stated Sheriff Blackman in a video address. He lamented the unimaginable conditions the young girl endured, highlighting the severity of the neglect and abuse evident from her physical state.

The deputies found the teenager deceased, wearing only a diaper, displaying multiple wounds and signs of severe malnutrition. The initial investigation revealed inconsistencies in Mack’s account of the events leading to the discovery of her daughter. Initially claiming to have found her daughter unresponsive on Thursday morning, Mack later altered her statement to indicate the afternoon.

Further examination of the scene revealed that the young girl, who was homeschooled, had been confined in the garage of the house. Disturbingly, she appeared to have been restrained to the garage door and was under surveillance via a security camera within the garage itself. Sheriff Blackman shared chilling details, noting, “Her body was covered in wounds in all stages of healing, including open lacerations that were clearly recently suffered.”

In what seems to be a desperate attempt to obliterate evidence, Mack is accused of using pool chlorine in the garage where her daughter was kept before making the emergency call. Compounding the tragedy, it was discovered that Mack had transported four other children from the home to another location before eventually contacting the authorities.

Mack, who had previously worked for the Department of Children and Families and served as a guardian ad litem, was tasked with protecting the welfare of children—a role that makes the circumstances of her daughter’s death even more appalling, according to reports. “To see a child treated this way is not only heartbreaking, it is infuriating. What makes it even more appalling is that the suspect is a former employee of not only the Department of Children and Families but also worked as a guardian ad-litem,” Sheriff Blackman expressed.

Mack now faces charges that reflect the gravity of her alleged actions, including first-degree murder while engaged in aggravated child abuse. This charge underscores the brutal nature of the young girl’s death and the premeditated efforts to cover it up. Held without bail, Mack remains in the county’s jail, awaiting further legal proceedings. The community and law enforcement continue to grapple with the horrific nature of this crime, as they mourn a young life lost under tragic circumstances and seek justice in a case that has disturbed a nation.