8-year-old girl died after her father and stepmother, whom her family warned CPS about at least 20 times, poured hot water on her skin and repeatedly punched the girl; couple pleads not guilty
California – In a deeply disturbing case that has sparked outrage across California, a 31-year-old father, identified as R. Mata, and a 27-year-old stepmother, identified as G. Bustamonte, stand accused in connection with Mata’s 8-year-old daughter’s death, who was found unresponsive in a hotel bathtub. According to reports, the young girl endured years of abuse, despite more than 20 warnings to Child Protective Services from concerned family members and friends. Now, the girl’s father and her stepmother are facing charges that include first-degree murder and torture.
Mata and Bustamonte were arraigned this week in the county superior court. The couple pleaded not guilty to multiple felony counts, including murder, willful cruelty to a child, and torture, following the death of Mata’s daughter. Both suspects are being held without bond at the county jail and are barred from contacting several family members under a court-issued protective order.
Police and paramedics responded to the hotel at around 5:37 p.m. on Saturday, after receiving a report about an unresponsive child in a bathtub. When officers forced open the locked bathroom door, they found the 8-year-old girl lying lifeless. She was pronounced dead at the scene, with visible injuries and substantial trauma. What police uncovered in the hours that followed painted a picture of prolonged and horrifying abuse.
According to a probable cause affidavit, both Mata and Bustamonte had spent two days torturing the young girl. They poured scalding hot water onto her skin, causing deep marks and injuries. The couple is also accused of crushing the girl’s hands so severely that her fingernails detached. Eventually, Mata admitted to punching the girl in the stomach, which caused her to lose consciousness and die. Bustamonte allegedly confirmed her role in the abuse as well. Seven other children were removed from the care of the accused couple and placed into protective custody following the incident.
For those closest to the 8-year-old victim, the tragedy didn’t come as a complete surprise—but it still left them devastated. Family members and friends say they warned CPS repeatedly, reaching out with concerns of visible injuries and signs of abuse. S. Guerrero, the girl’s cousin, told local media, “The system failed my little cousin, big time.” She and other relatives say that at least 20 reports were made to Child Protective Services, urging the agency to intervene. “There were signs,” added D. Gomez, a family friend. “People knew. And CPS ignored it.”
Despite the flood of complaints, no effective action was taken. The county Department of Human Services and CPS have declined to comment on their role or response leading up to the 8-year-old girl’s death. Assistant Police Chief B. Stratton said the trauma endured by the young girl was among the worst that investigators had ever seen, calling the case particularly tragic due to the age of the victim and the alleged brutality.
In the wake of her death, the victim’s family created a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses. The page describes her as a bright, joyful child who “loved anything that sparkled” and had a spirit that lit up every room. As of Thursday, it had raised over $4,870. Mata and Bustamonte are scheduled to return to court on August 14 for pre-preliminary hearings. Meanwhile, public anger continues to grow—not only at the accused, but at a system many believe failed a vulnerable child who cried for help that never came.
