In a tragic incident of child abuse, a 10-year-old girl was strangled and dismembered on her birthday, with her remains set on fire. The victim, Victoria Martens, was found partially wrapped in a burning blanket at her mother’s residence in 2018, after police responded to a 911 call reporting a domestic dispute.
Following the discovery, Michelle, 35, her boyfriend Fabian Gonzales, 31, and Gonzales’ cousin Jessica Kelley, 31, were arrested and charged with various offenses, including first-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death. Michelle admitted to one count of child abuse resulting in death, stating that Victoria had been given alcohol and methamphetamine to facilitate sexual activities.
Allegations suggest that Michelle watched as Gonzales raped and killed her daughter, while Gonzales and Kelley were accused of dismembering the body. Despite denials from Gonzales and his assertion of innocence, Michelle’s attorney found some autopsy results beneficial to their defense.
The trials of Gonzales and Kelley were postponed until 2022, while Michelle accepted a plea deal in 2018. Gonzales faced reduced charges and was sentenced to 37-and-a-half years in prison, with the possibility of parole. Michelle served 12 years but was released in October, while Kelley pleaded guilty to several charges and received a 44-year sentence, expected to serve less than half of it.