Arizona – In a deeply disturbing case of prolonged child abuse in Arizona, a 32-year-old father, identified as Richard B., and a 29-year-old stepmother, identified as Anicia W., now face multiple felony charges after subjecting their 10-year-old daughter to relentless punishment and beatings, ultimately leading to her death. Prosecutors have charged the couple with murder and child abuse after the young girl succumbed to injuries that doctors described as stemming from “non-accidental trauma.”
The couple also faces additional child abuse charges tied to the treatment of the victim’s younger siblings, ages 8 and 6. According to court documents, prosecutors are seeking to try both defendants together, citing the extensive and overlapping nature of the alleged abuse. The victim’s final days reflect what authorities call an extreme pattern of cruelty disguised as discipline. The couple allegedly forced the children to complete physical punishments such as “laps and planks” inside their home. These punishments were routine, with school staff reporting that the 10-year-old girl and her siblings often came to class with scratches, bruises, and signs of neglect. One report alleged that the victim was routinely denied access to water and bathrooms while being forced to run as punishment.
But the most chilling detail came from the girl’s own act of desperation. At one point, she reportedly jumped out of a second-story window in a desperate attempt to escape the abuse she suffered within the household. Prosecutors say the parents claimed she was “running away from us” and told investigators she planned to run to a well in hopes of finding someone who could help her and perhaps offer water. Children’s protective services had received a series of abuse complaints dating as far back as 2015. Though some earlier reports were deemed unsubstantiated, a fatality summary report confirmed that a May 2025 complaint had triggered an active investigation into the victim’s siblings. At the time of her death, the state had not yet located the family.
On July 27, 2025, Richard and Anicia brought the unconscious girl to a small medical center. Her condition was so severe she was airlifted to a hospital, where she died the next day. Medical professionals quickly flagged her injuries as indicative of abuse, prompting an immediate investigation. In interviews, both parents admitted to using physical punishment—including spanking, hitting with a belt, and forced exercises. Richard specifically described striking the 10-year-old with “excessive force” and rated her pain level during one beating as a 7 out of 10.
School officials had already noticed troubling signs. Teachers recalled asking the children about their visible injuries, but the siblings gave inconsistent explanations. Prosecutors highlighted how the children altered their stories to protect their parents—first saying a scratch came from discipline, then quickly changing the explanation to accidental causes like falling outside. “My mom was mad at me and accidentally scratched me,” the 8-year-old reportedly told a school official before quickly reversing his statement, saying, “Never mind, she didn’t do that. I just fell.”
Two days after the 10-year-old girl’s death, Richard and Anicia were arrested on July 29. They remain in custody while the legal process moves forward. Prosecutors allege that the abuse was not only prolonged but escalated to fatal levels, especially after multiple missed opportunities for intervention. The girl’s death has reignited urgent discussions about systemic failures to protect children already known to the system. Despite years of complaints, the final blow came too late to save her. Now, with charges of murder and abuse pending, the couple faces a future in court as prosecutors work to hold them accountable for the death of a child who tried to escape but found no refuge.
