Mother and grandmother charged after 13-year-old kept in cage dies at hospital

TEMPE, Ariz. – Two women were arrested on child abuse charges after police found a 13-year-old girl covered in bruises, sores and the mental capacity of a three-year-old.

According to police, the girl was rushed to the hospital due to the severity of her injuries on Tuesday, Jan. 21. She was pronounced dead on Wednesday morning.

Detectives find ‘makeshift cage’

What we know:

Detectives conducted a search warrant where they found what they called a makeshift cage.

The mother, Jami Hodges, and grandmother, Virginia Lujan, were both arrested and admitted that the cage was used to keep “control” of the girl.

Lujan was temporarily taking care of Hodges’ five children and she told Tempe Police that the child had fallen down the stairs on Sunday.

What they’re saying:

Hodges said that she was not aware of the fall and was released from custody while Lujan is still in jail facing charges.

In the release, police say Hodges was temporarily staying with Lujan but had not seen her 13-year-old daughter very often.

The case is still under investigation.