A 13-year-old girl’s mother and grandmother have been arrested in connection with her death after police found the teen covered in bruises and sores at a home where they also discovered a makeshift cage which the women said they used to keep control of her.

Virginia Lujan, 55, has been placed in custody on a child abuse charge, and Jami Hodges, 33, has been booked and released pending charges, according to a Tempe Police Department release.

Lujan called police just before 9 p.m. Jan. 21 and said her granddaughter, who was in her care, was not breathing. Life-saving efforts were attempted as the girl was rushed to a hospital where she died Wednesday morning.

Officers inside the home saw the girl was covered in bruises and sores, all in various stages of healing, police said, and due to the severity of her condition and the initial observations, the criminal investigations bureau was notified.

“Lujan told investigators the child had fallen down the stairs two days prior, on Sunday night. She said she did not seek medical attention because she believed the girl would be fine,” the release stated.

Police said they learned the girl had a cognitive delay and had the mental capacity of a 3-year-old. 

Hodges, the girl’s mother, said she was not aware of the fall. Hodges was temporarily staying with Lujan, who was caring for four of her five children, according to police. Hodges said she had not seen her daughter regularly since staying at the home.

Detectives conducted a search warrant of the home and found what appeared to be a makeshift “cage,” which was full of feces and had a foul odor.

“Both Lujan and Hodges admitted that the girl was kept in this ‘cage’ to keep control of her,” the release stated.

Police said there could be additional charges as the investigation continues.

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