Rodeo couple charged with torture after daughter found dead

(Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

(RODEO, Calif.) The parents of an 11-year-old child who was found dead last month following an early morning 911 call are now facing several charges related to the abuse authorities allege the girl suffered at the hands of the couple, KRON4 reports.

The girl’s father, 30-year-old Rene Diaz, and her stepmom, 29-year-old Crystal Diaz, are being held at the Contra Costa County Jail with bail set at $1.4 million.

Authorities say that the couple inflicted “aggravated mayhem” on the girl through torture, however, the couple has not been charged directly in her death.

Charges against the couple date back to last November and include torture, mayhem and four counts of child abuse.

The girl was found dead by paramedics responding to the call on March 23 in the 10 block of Railroad Avenue in Rodeo at approximately 3:30 a.m.

An autopsy performed by the Contra Costa County coroner’s office has yet to determine an exact cause of death and the investigation is ongoing.

However, court records indicate that investigators found evidence that the girl had been tortured between the dates of March 9-23 with the “intent to cause cruel and extreme pain and suffering for the purpose of revenge, extortion, persuasion and for a sadistic purpose.”

The charge of mayhem against the couple alleges that the couple’s daughter suffered “permanent disability and disfigurement and deprivation of a limb, organ and body member” during the same period of time.

While the specific details related to the four charges of child abuse have not been released, investigators have been gathering evidence since Nov. 27 of last year.

Both defendants face a possible life sentence if convicted, according to the criminal complaint.

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