A couple from Moroni were charged in 6th District Court on Dec. 30 in the death of their two year old daughter. The girls step father Juan Castillo, age 51, and Anyi Nicol Canales Cruz, age 22, face charges of child abuse homicide and child abuse. The Sanpete County Sheriff’s Office were contacted on Dec. 29 after the child was brought to the hospital and was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

The arresting deputy wrote in a police booking affidavit, “I was informed an X-ray showed the juvenile had previously broken ribs that were healed or were healing. I was also told a large amount of bruising was observed over her body that had occurred recently. I was also told there was a cut under her chin and a few other small cuts around her body.”

Cruz admitted to police that she and Castillo had recently abused their daughter and Castillo told police that he “recently struck the juvenile but not to the extent he would have caused injuries.” Police found large amounts of children and adult medications upon searching the home and believe that large amounts of medication may have contributed to the death.