Charlenni Ferreira
10-year-old
October 21, 2009
Feltonville, PA
Charlenni Ferreira was a fifth grader whom should have been looking forward to what the future held for her. Instead at the tender age of ten years old suffered the fate of deadly child abuse by those that were suppose to love and protect her.
Charlenni died from an infection caused by untreated broken ribs. Her left lung had collapsed and she was found unconscious at her home where she was tortured for years. Charlenni’s abuse was so severe that it took the coroner more then a half hour to chronicle a report of his findings.
Charlenni died from an infection caused by untreated broken ribs. Her left lung had collapsed and she was found unconscious at her home where she was tortured for years. Charlenni’s abuse was so severe that it took the coroner more then a half hour to chronicle a report of his findings.
She had several other injuries that were tortuous and signs of sexual abuse. Other significant injuries proved that the child had a gash on her head that was seven inches long and four inches wide. That injury to her head, had been stuffed with cotton and concealed under a hair weave. Here left lung had fluid around it and would have caused her pain every time she breathed.
Cherlenni also suffered from a broken hip, broken fingers and ripped tissue near her private parts/pelvic area.
She was suffering from a sexually transmitted disease as well and none of the injuries or disease was medically treated.
Only two nurse's from two separate schools thought to try and intervene, even the girls Dr didn’t think she was being abused and alleges that the child told him that she was treated like a princess.
In fact case/welfare workers were so hoodwinked and convinced that the parents were treating Charlenni like gold, that they advised the parents that if a school nurse continued to lodge complaints against them, to contact a legal aid agency.
Neighbors acknowledged she walked with a limp and she had a swollen face, yet felt there were no signs of child abuse. Authorities said however the abuse dates back at least three years.
In fact case/welfare workers were so hoodwinked and convinced that the parents were treating Charlenni like gold, that they advised the parents that if a school nurse continued to lodge complaints against them, to contact a legal aid agency.
Neighbors acknowledged she walked with a limp and she had a swollen face, yet felt there were no signs of child abuse. Authorities said however the abuse dates back at least three years.
Charlenni’s father, Domingo “Anibal” Ferreira, 53, and step-mother, Margarita Garabito, 42, were arrested and charged with the child’s murder on Oct. 23. On Oct. 25, Ferreira was found dead in his jail cell. He had hanged himself. Garabito’s attorney asserted that Ferreira’s suicide indicated that he was guilty in Charlenni’s death. Ferreira had admitted to hitting the child.
Her Step-mother would later admit to causing the gash on the girl’s head and trying to hide the injury by stuffing it full of gauze and covering it with a hair weave.
She may have knew she was about to die. And did, a week before turning 11. "Emanie Feliciano, 9, who...played with Charleeni, remembered the girl saying recently, 'I'm going to have a birthday. Well, maybe not.' "'What 10-year-old is going to say that?' asked Emanie's mother, Leslie Santiago, 28."
Despite her injuries and repeated abuse, sources say Ferreria made her way to school every day and kept perfect attendance. almost no one at the school was aware of the terrible pain the little girl was enduring." her friends that did know she begged not to tell anyone.
Charleeni’s funeral was held the day after what would have been her eleventh birthday. Neighbors would hold a birthday party in her honor including balloons and a D.J. They next day many of the same people attended the services for a little girl who was allowed to suffer and die while so many watched but did not see.
FELTONVILLE - October 21, 2009 (WPVI)
Homicide detecives arrested a mother, father, and the stepsiblings of a 10-year-old girl who died Wednesday in Philadelphia.
It began in the 4700 block of C Street on Wednesday morning.
The family told police the girl woke up and told her mom she felt sick, and that she hit her head the night before.
Then, at around 10:30 a.m., the mother said she found the girl unresponsive on the bathroom floor.
rushed the girl to St. Christopher's Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
After an autopsy, police say the girl had been abused for years.
The medical examiner found a 7 inch cut on her head that was filled with gauze and was covered up by a weave. Authorities say the girl also had a broke arm and pelvis.
Action News has learned the city's Department of Human Services had two cases on the family in the past that have been closed.
It began in the 4700 block of C Street on Wednesday morning.
The family told police the girl woke up and told her mom she felt sick, and that she hit her head the night before.
Then, at around 10:30 a.m., the mother said she found the girl unresponsive on the bathroom floor.
rushed the girl to St. Christopher's Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
After an autopsy, police say the girl had been abused for years.
The medical examiner found a 7 inch cut on her head that was filled with gauze and was covered up by a weave. Authorities say the girl also had a broke arm and pelvis.
Action News has learned the city's Department of Human Services had two cases on the family in the past that have been closed.
Charges Filed In 10-Year-Old's DeathDHS Releases Statement In Case
October 22nd, 2009 - My Fox Philly
PHILADELPHIA - Murder charges have been filed against the father and stepmother of a 10-year-old Philadelphia girl who died shortly after being found unconscious in her home.
Police said 53-year-old Domingo Ferreira and 43-year-old Margarita Garabito are both charged with murder and child endangerment in the death of Ferreira's daughter, Charleeni, on Wednesday.
Homicide Capt. James Clark called it one of the worst cases of child abuse he has ever seen.
Police sources say medics found Charleeni unresponsive at a home in the 4700 block of C Street, in the city's Olney section, Wednesday morning.
She was transported to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children where she was pronounced dead.
Sources say Margarita Garabito reported her stepdaughter had fallen in the bathroom and hit her head. Charleeni allegedly woke up complaining of dizziness and nausea.
Investigators said the girl had numerous healed and fresh injuries, including broken bones, bruises and a severe head wound that was stuffed with gauze and covered with a hair weave.
Authorities said Charleeni also had suffered injuries indicating that she had been sexually abused, but neither parent has been charged with a sex crime. The investigation is continuing.
The girl had been the subject of a Department of Human Services investigation for possible abuse in 2007 and files are now being reviewed.
DHS Commissioner Anne Marie Ambrose released a statement Wednesday, saying "I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of 10-year-old Charleeni Ferreira. Unfortunately, state confidentiality laws prohibit us from disclosing any case related information to the public. However, as the facts of this case become known to DHS, we will have lots of work to do in looking at the recent events that could have led to or have prevented this tragedy. DHS is fully cooperating with police and the District Attorney's office as they investigate this case."
Neighbors say in the past couple of years, they noticed drastic physical changes in the once perky 5th grader. They say she appeared to have trouble walking and sometimes seemed to be on medication.
Police have questioned the girl's two older brothers and are looking for witnesses who may have seen any of the abuse.
October 22nd, 2009 - My Fox Philly
PHILADELPHIA - Murder charges have been filed against the father and stepmother of a 10-year-old Philadelphia girl who died shortly after being found unconscious in her home.
Police said 53-year-old Domingo Ferreira and 43-year-old Margarita Garabito are both charged with murder and child endangerment in the death of Ferreira's daughter, Charleeni, on Wednesday.
Homicide Capt. James Clark called it one of the worst cases of child abuse he has ever seen.
Police sources say medics found Charleeni unresponsive at a home in the 4700 block of C Street, in the city's Olney section, Wednesday morning.
She was transported to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children where she was pronounced dead.
Sources say Margarita Garabito reported her stepdaughter had fallen in the bathroom and hit her head. Charleeni allegedly woke up complaining of dizziness and nausea.
Investigators said the girl had numerous healed and fresh injuries, including broken bones, bruises and a severe head wound that was stuffed with gauze and covered with a hair weave.
Authorities said Charleeni also had suffered injuries indicating that she had been sexually abused, but neither parent has been charged with a sex crime. The investigation is continuing.
The girl had been the subject of a Department of Human Services investigation for possible abuse in 2007 and files are now being reviewed.
DHS Commissioner Anne Marie Ambrose released a statement Wednesday, saying "I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of 10-year-old Charleeni Ferreira. Unfortunately, state confidentiality laws prohibit us from disclosing any case related information to the public. However, as the facts of this case become known to DHS, we will have lots of work to do in looking at the recent events that could have led to or have prevented this tragedy. DHS is fully cooperating with police and the District Attorney's office as they investigate this case."
Neighbors say in the past couple of years, they noticed drastic physical changes in the once perky 5th grader. They say she appeared to have trouble walking and sometimes seemed to be on medication.
Police have questioned the girl's two older brothers and are looking for witnesses who may have seen any of the abuse.
Victim's Friend Tells of Torture
Friend: Her mom pushed her down the stairs and broke her bones.
Oct 24, 2009 - NBC Philly
It's unimaginable to think a 10-year-old child would have to apply makeup and put on a wig to conceal scars and bruises she suffered after her parents allegedly beat her -- but that's what Charleeni Ferreira told a classmate she did.
Just weeks before the Feltonville girl died she told her best friend, Cheyenne Roundtree, about her painful secrets she was allegedly forced to hide.
"Every time she came to school there was this orange makeup on," the girl said. "I would ask her what that was on her head and she would tell me a wig. She told me ‘My mom would pull out my hair and she cut me.’ It was a big gash in her face and they filled it with a gauze."
The Feltonville Intermediate School 5th grader died at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children Wednesday after her lungs collapsed from an infection related to broken ribs that were left untreated, according to investigators.
Charleeni’s father Domingo, 53, and her step mother Margarita Garabito, 43, were charged with Murder and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Doctors, who examined the little girl uncovered physical and sexual abuse including a broken hipbone and vaginal and anal scaring.
“She would tell me her mom pushed her down the stairs, that her mom beat her and broke her bones,” said Roundtree.
Neighbors and friends gathered at the C Street home Friday where Charleeni lived with her father, stepmother and her two teenaged stepbrothers.
Many questions still surround this disturbing case especially why teachers and staff didn’t notice Charleeni’s scars and broken hip.
“Where was the school? Where was the school psychologist? Where were the teachers? They knew it and they covered up and didn’t do anything about it and unfortunately it will be on their heads for the rest of their life,” said neighbor Lillian Fabian.
Police said they are awaiting DNA and toxicology results to determine the extent of possible sexual abuse.
Friend: Her mom pushed her down the stairs and broke her bones.
Oct 24, 2009 - NBC Philly
It's unimaginable to think a 10-year-old child would have to apply makeup and put on a wig to conceal scars and bruises she suffered after her parents allegedly beat her -- but that's what Charleeni Ferreira told a classmate she did.
Just weeks before the Feltonville girl died she told her best friend, Cheyenne Roundtree, about her painful secrets she was allegedly forced to hide.
"Every time she came to school there was this orange makeup on," the girl said. "I would ask her what that was on her head and she would tell me a wig. She told me ‘My mom would pull out my hair and she cut me.’ It was a big gash in her face and they filled it with a gauze."
The Feltonville Intermediate School 5th grader died at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children Wednesday after her lungs collapsed from an infection related to broken ribs that were left untreated, according to investigators.
Charleeni’s father Domingo, 53, and her step mother Margarita Garabito, 43, were charged with Murder and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Doctors, who examined the little girl uncovered physical and sexual abuse including a broken hipbone and vaginal and anal scaring.
“She would tell me her mom pushed her down the stairs, that her mom beat her and broke her bones,” said Roundtree.
Neighbors and friends gathered at the C Street home Friday where Charleeni lived with her father, stepmother and her two teenaged stepbrothers.
Many questions still surround this disturbing case especially why teachers and staff didn’t notice Charleeni’s scars and broken hip.
“Where was the school? Where was the school psychologist? Where were the teachers? They knew it and they covered up and didn’t do anything about it and unfortunately it will be on their heads for the rest of their life,” said neighbor Lillian Fabian.
Police said they are awaiting DNA and toxicology results to determine the extent of possible sexual abuse.
Police: Young Girl Tortured, Killed By Family
Oct 25, 2009 - Source: Philly 57
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― Philadelphia Police have charged a father and stepmother with the murder of a 10-year-old Feltonville girl.
A family member reportedly told police the girl, identified as Charleeni Ferreria, fell and hit her head Tuesday evening and that she was found unresponsive Wednesday morning.
Investigators said an ambulance responded to the child's home in the 4700 block of C. Street at about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday and transported her to the hospital. She was later pronounced dead of an apparent brain injury.
Sources say she was suffering from a broken wrist, ribs and hip, and had an 8 inch gap in her skull that was stuffed with gauze and covered by a weave. Sources said she was also sexually assaulted and mutilated.
"We have no theory behind why she was treated like this at this point," Captain James Clark explained.
Despite her injuries and repeated abuse, sources say Ferreria made her way to school every day and kept perfect attendance. No one at the school was apparently aware of the terrible pain the little girl was enduring.
Ferreria's father and stepmother were charged Thursday with her murder and endangering the welfare of a child. Sources told CBS3 that the stepmother confessed to the murder.
"This is one of the worst cases I have seen, it's unconscionable to think that someone can do this to a 10-year-old little girl," Capt. Clark said.
According to sources, the Department of Human Services had been alerted in 2007 by school officials of possible abuse; the DHS investigation was discontinued after a doctor certified that she was not being abused.
DHS Commissioner Anne Marie Ambrose released this statement to the media on Thursday:
"I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of 10 year old Charlenny Ferreira. Unfortunately state confidentiality laws prohibit us from disclosing any case related information to the public. However as the facts of this case become known to DHS, we will have lots of work to do in looking at the recent events that could have led to or have prevented this tragedy. DHS is fully cooperating with police and the district attorney's office as they investigate this case."
The investigation is ongoing.
A family member reportedly told police the girl, identified as Charleeni Ferreria, fell and hit her head Tuesday evening and that she was found unresponsive Wednesday morning.
Investigators said an ambulance responded to the child's home in the 4700 block of C. Street at about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday and transported her to the hospital. She was later pronounced dead of an apparent brain injury.
Sources say she was suffering from a broken wrist, ribs and hip, and had an 8 inch gap in her skull that was stuffed with gauze and covered by a weave. Sources said she was also sexually assaulted and mutilated.
"We have no theory behind why she was treated like this at this point," Captain James Clark explained.
Despite her injuries and repeated abuse, sources say Ferreria made her way to school every day and kept perfect attendance. No one at the school was apparently aware of the terrible pain the little girl was enduring.
Ferreria's father and stepmother were charged Thursday with her murder and endangering the welfare of a child. Sources told CBS3 that the stepmother confessed to the murder.
"This is one of the worst cases I have seen, it's unconscionable to think that someone can do this to a 10-year-old little girl," Capt. Clark said.
According to sources, the Department of Human Services had been alerted in 2007 by school officials of possible abuse; the DHS investigation was discontinued after a doctor certified that she was not being abused.
DHS Commissioner Anne Marie Ambrose released this statement to the media on Thursday:
"I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of 10 year old Charlenny Ferreira. Unfortunately state confidentiality laws prohibit us from disclosing any case related information to the public. However as the facts of this case become known to DHS, we will have lots of work to do in looking at the recent events that could have led to or have prevented this tragedy. DHS is fully cooperating with police and the district attorney's office as they investigate this case."
The investigation is ongoing.
Father of abused girl found dead in jailOctober 25, 2009 - Source: 6 ABC News
PHILADELPHIA - October 25, 2009 (WPVI) -- Police and prison officials confirmed Sunday morning that the father of 10-year-old Charleeni Ferreira, Domingo Ferreira, hanged himself in prison sometime overnight.
Police continue to investigate the situation, however so far they believe 53-year-old Ferreira hanged himself with bed sheets around 3:00am. He was found in his cell hanging from the top bunk at 3:10am.
Correctional Officers on their routine tour saw Ferreira lying on his bunk with torn sheeting tied to the upper bunk. CPR was administered but Ferreira could not be resuscitated.
He was admitted Friday to the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility and was in intake housing, in quarantine. As part of normal procedure for high profile cases, Ferreira was referred to the prison's mental health services for evaluation and was not judged to be suicidal.
Late last week the Philadelphia District Attorney approved murder charges in the death of Charleeni who, investigators said, was horribly abused.
Those charges were announced as police investigate the death of Charleeni Ferreira of the 4700 block of C Street.
On Thursday, police said the girl's stepmother, Margarita Garabito, 43, and the girl's father, Domingo Ferreira, 53, would be charged. They were arraigned on Friday and held without bail pending a prelminary hearing on October 28th.
The girl died on Wednesday.
The medical examiner found a 7-inch cut on her head that was filled with gauze and was covered up by a hair weave. Authorities say the girl also had a broken arm and pelvis.
The M.E. also told police it was the worst case of abuse he had ever seen.
Investigators say the girl died from pneumonia and other infections after blunt-force trauma to her ribs caused a collapsed lung.
A police source says the Department of Human Services had been to Ferreira's home before in 2006 and 2007. In a statement released Thursday afternoon, DHS commissioner Anne Marie Ambrose said:
"I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of 10 year old Charleeni Ferreira. Unfortunately state confidentiality laws prohibit us from disclosing any case related information to the public. However as the facts of this case become known to DHS, we will have lots of work to do in looking at the recent events that could have led to or have prevented this tragedy. DHS is fully cooperating with police and the district attorney's office as they investigate this case."
The family told police Charleeni woke up on Wednesday and told her stepmom she felt sick, and that she hit her head the night before.
Then, at around 10:30 a.m., the stepmom said she found the girl unresponsive on the bathroom floor.
Medics rushed the girl to St. Christopher's Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
After an autopsy, police say the girl had been abused for years.
Authorities said she also had suffered injuries indicating that she had been sexually abused, but neither parent has been charged with a sex crime. The investigation is continuing.
On Thursday night neighbors held a prayer vigil, bringing candles, teddy bears and balloons for the girl.
Charleeni's classmates were there, and they told Action News she would confide in them about the abuse she was suffering at home.
"She said her stepmom pulled her hair, abused her, did so many mean things to her,' said Cheyenne Roundtree.
Another classmate said Charleeni confided in her that she was being raped by her stepbrother.
"Her brother took her upstairs one time, 'You better come upstairs cause I need to talk to you,' and raped her upstairs in her room," said Joceyln Martinez.
Both girls said Charleeni begged them not to tell anyone.
Officials at Feltonville Intermediate School, where Charleeni had a good attendance record, also reported no evidence of abuse.
PHILADELPHIA - October 25, 2009 (WPVI) -- Police and prison officials confirmed Sunday morning that the father of 10-year-old Charleeni Ferreira, Domingo Ferreira, hanged himself in prison sometime overnight.
Police continue to investigate the situation, however so far they believe 53-year-old Ferreira hanged himself with bed sheets around 3:00am. He was found in his cell hanging from the top bunk at 3:10am.
Correctional Officers on their routine tour saw Ferreira lying on his bunk with torn sheeting tied to the upper bunk. CPR was administered but Ferreira could not be resuscitated.
He was admitted Friday to the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility and was in intake housing, in quarantine. As part of normal procedure for high profile cases, Ferreira was referred to the prison's mental health services for evaluation and was not judged to be suicidal.
Late last week the Philadelphia District Attorney approved murder charges in the death of Charleeni who, investigators said, was horribly abused.
Those charges were announced as police investigate the death of Charleeni Ferreira of the 4700 block of C Street.
On Thursday, police said the girl's stepmother, Margarita Garabito, 43, and the girl's father, Domingo Ferreira, 53, would be charged. They were arraigned on Friday and held without bail pending a prelminary hearing on October 28th.
The girl died on Wednesday.
The medical examiner found a 7-inch cut on her head that was filled with gauze and was covered up by a hair weave. Authorities say the girl also had a broken arm and pelvis.
The M.E. also told police it was the worst case of abuse he had ever seen.
Investigators say the girl died from pneumonia and other infections after blunt-force trauma to her ribs caused a collapsed lung.
A police source says the Department of Human Services had been to Ferreira's home before in 2006 and 2007. In a statement released Thursday afternoon, DHS commissioner Anne Marie Ambrose said:
"I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of 10 year old Charleeni Ferreira. Unfortunately state confidentiality laws prohibit us from disclosing any case related information to the public. However as the facts of this case become known to DHS, we will have lots of work to do in looking at the recent events that could have led to or have prevented this tragedy. DHS is fully cooperating with police and the district attorney's office as they investigate this case."
The family told police Charleeni woke up on Wednesday and told her stepmom she felt sick, and that she hit her head the night before.
Then, at around 10:30 a.m., the stepmom said she found the girl unresponsive on the bathroom floor.
Medics rushed the girl to St. Christopher's Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
After an autopsy, police say the girl had been abused for years.
Authorities said she also had suffered injuries indicating that she had been sexually abused, but neither parent has been charged with a sex crime. The investigation is continuing.
On Thursday night neighbors held a prayer vigil, bringing candles, teddy bears and balloons for the girl.
Charleeni's classmates were there, and they told Action News she would confide in them about the abuse she was suffering at home.
"She said her stepmom pulled her hair, abused her, did so many mean things to her,' said Cheyenne Roundtree.
Another classmate said Charleeni confided in her that she was being raped by her stepbrother.
"Her brother took her upstairs one time, 'You better come upstairs cause I need to talk to you,' and raped her upstairs in her room," said Joceyln Martinez.
Both girls said Charleeni begged them not to tell anyone.
Officials at Feltonville Intermediate School, where Charleeni had a good attendance record, also reported no evidence of abuse.
Charlenni's Body Tells Gruesome Tales in Court
Defense attorney says accused stepmother was "loving and caring"
The open wound on 10-year-old Charlenni Ferreira’s head was seven inches long and four inches wide. Though the wound exposed her skull, someone stuffed the wound with cotton and covered it with a hair weave.
"It's a remarkable wound. I don't recall seeing a wound like that in the 25 years of work I've done," Cindy Christian, a pediatrician and child-abuse specialist at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia testified Tuesday, reported the Inquirer. "She got bashed on the top of her head hard enough to open the scalp down to the skull, fracture the skull... causing underlying brain injury."
These were just a few of the graphic details shared by an assistant medical examiner and a child-abuse specialist at Tuesday’s preliminary hearing for Margarita Garabito, Charlenni’s stepmother who is charged with the child’s murder.
The little girl who told a concerned doctor that her family treated her “like a princess,” was treated anything but. Dying Oct. 21 from an untreated infection caused by broken ribs that pierced her lung, Charlenni’s little body uncovered the gruesome story of long-term abuse she allegedly suffered at the hands of her father and stepmother.
Charlenni’s father, Domingo Ferreira, 53, hung himself in a jail cell after being charged with his daughter’s murder, so only her stepmother is left to answer for the girl’s death. A fact that Garabito’s attorney said is unjust.
“This woman did not intend to kill the child. This woman is not guilty of first degree murder,” Barbara McDermott told NBC Philadelphia. “Does she concede that on occasion she hit the child? Yes.”
It took an assistant medical examiner more than a half an hour to list all of Charlenni’s injuries, the Inqy said. The open head wound; broken ribs; collapsed lung full of fluid; bruising up and down her legs; not to mention scarring from long-term sexual abuse, were only some of the abominations found during the child’s autopsy.
Garabito admitted to detectives that she hit Charlenni on the head with a metal broomstick, and said she was beating the girl for more than a year, according to police statements.
"I would hit her with a broomstick, but nothing to kill her," said Garabito in her translated statement to police.
And yet Garabito’s lawyer pushed the blame of the abuse to Charlenni’s dead father, saying that the sexual abuse is evidence that Garabito had little to do with her stepdaughter's demise.
“She admits that in her own limited way she was attempting to treat that wound and to make sure the wound was cared for,” said McDermott. “She was afraid of what would happen to Charlenni if she took any additional steps.”
“She did what she could to protect the child as best she could,” said McDermott. “She was a loving and caring parent.”
"It's a remarkable wound. I don't recall seeing a wound like that in the 25 years of work I've done," Cindy Christian, a pediatrician and child-abuse specialist at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia testified Tuesday, reported the Inquirer. "She got bashed on the top of her head hard enough to open the scalp down to the skull, fracture the skull... causing underlying brain injury."
These were just a few of the graphic details shared by an assistant medical examiner and a child-abuse specialist at Tuesday’s preliminary hearing for Margarita Garabito, Charlenni’s stepmother who is charged with the child’s murder.
The little girl who told a concerned doctor that her family treated her “like a princess,” was treated anything but. Dying Oct. 21 from an untreated infection caused by broken ribs that pierced her lung, Charlenni’s little body uncovered the gruesome story of long-term abuse she allegedly suffered at the hands of her father and stepmother.
Charlenni’s father, Domingo Ferreira, 53, hung himself in a jail cell after being charged with his daughter’s murder, so only her stepmother is left to answer for the girl’s death. A fact that Garabito’s attorney said is unjust.
“This woman did not intend to kill the child. This woman is not guilty of first degree murder,” Barbara McDermott told NBC Philadelphia. “Does she concede that on occasion she hit the child? Yes.”
It took an assistant medical examiner more than a half an hour to list all of Charlenni’s injuries, the Inqy said. The open head wound; broken ribs; collapsed lung full of fluid; bruising up and down her legs; not to mention scarring from long-term sexual abuse, were only some of the abominations found during the child’s autopsy.
Garabito admitted to detectives that she hit Charlenni on the head with a metal broomstick, and said she was beating the girl for more than a year, according to police statements.
"I would hit her with a broomstick, but nothing to kill her," said Garabito in her translated statement to police.
And yet Garabito’s lawyer pushed the blame of the abuse to Charlenni’s dead father, saying that the sexual abuse is evidence that Garabito had little to do with her stepdaughter's demise.
“She admits that in her own limited way she was attempting to treat that wound and to make sure the wound was cared for,” said McDermott. “She was afraid of what would happen to Charlenni if she took any additional steps.”
“She did what she could to protect the child as best she could,” said McDermott. “She was a loving and caring parent.”
Mother charged with murder in abuse death of CharlenniJan. 13, 2010 - Source: Philadelphia Daily News
After three hours of testimony today, a municipal court judge ordered Margarita Garabito held for trial on charges that she beat her stepdaughter, Charlenni Ferreira, to death.
Police officials called Charlenni's October death one of the worst case of child abuse they had seen.
Testifying today, Assistant Medical Examiner Marlon Osbourne needed more than half an hour to catalog Charlenni's injuries, which stretched from a fractured skull to bruising down her leg.
The girl died several days shy of her 11th birthday from an infection caused by broken ribs.
"She has to be in heaven, she has to be an angel, because her life on earth was a living hell," said Municipal Court Judge Patrick F. Dugan.
Gruesome autopsy photos and postmortem X-rays showed Charlenni's litany of healed and fresh injuries, including a fractured shoulder blade, and bone deformities on her hip and arm from past trauma.
She had a gash on her head that was seven inches long and four inches wide that had been stuffed with cotton and concealed under a hair weave.
In her statement to detectives, read in court today, Garabito admitted to causing the gash by hitting Charlenni with a metal broom handle. She also said in the statement that she had been beating the girl for more than a year.
After the hearing, Garabito's attorney, Barbara A. McDermott, said her client was "living in fear" of Charlenni's father, Domingo Ferreira.
Domingo Ferreira was charged along with Garabito, but hung himself in his jail cell shortly after being arrested.
McDermott said blame for the injuries that ultimately took Charlenni's life could rest with her father.
Police officials called Charlenni's October death one of the worst case of child abuse they had seen.
Testifying today, Assistant Medical Examiner Marlon Osbourne needed more than half an hour to catalog Charlenni's injuries, which stretched from a fractured skull to bruising down her leg.
The girl died several days shy of her 11th birthday from an infection caused by broken ribs.
"She has to be in heaven, she has to be an angel, because her life on earth was a living hell," said Municipal Court Judge Patrick F. Dugan.
Gruesome autopsy photos and postmortem X-rays showed Charlenni's litany of healed and fresh injuries, including a fractured shoulder blade, and bone deformities on her hip and arm from past trauma.
She had a gash on her head that was seven inches long and four inches wide that had been stuffed with cotton and concealed under a hair weave.
In her statement to detectives, read in court today, Garabito admitted to causing the gash by hitting Charlenni with a metal broom handle. She also said in the statement that she had been beating the girl for more than a year.
After the hearing, Garabito's attorney, Barbara A. McDermott, said her client was "living in fear" of Charlenni's father, Domingo Ferreira.
Domingo Ferreira was charged along with Garabito, but hung himself in his jail cell shortly after being arrested.
McDermott said blame for the injuries that ultimately took Charlenni's life could rest with her father.
CENTER CITY - January 12, 2010 (WPVI) -- Margarita Garabito has been ordered to stand trial for the death of her step daughter last October, but in this case, considering the abuse that Charlenni Ferreira suffered, death may have been the most merciful thing that happened to her.
Garabito was impassive as she sat in court an interpreter at her side. She listened to an assistant medical examiner detail the horrific injuries and neglect that led to the death of her stepdaughter.
He said 10-year-old Charleeni Ferreira suffered multiple blunt force trauma injuries leading to her October death. The autopsy showed the child had a fractured skull, brain damage, a huge gash in her scalp that was hidden by a hair weave, a broken nose, a cauliflower ear, a broken shoulder, 6 broken ribs, infected fluid flooding her lungs, pneumonia, a broken hip and evidence of repeated rape. She was suffering from a sexually transmitted disease as well and none of the injuries or disease was medically treated.
Garabito and her husband, the child's natural father, were arrested and charged with the murder. The father, Domingo Ferreira, hanged himself in jail so Garabito stands alone to face justice in the horrific case of child abuse.
In her statements to police Garabito admitted repeatedly beating Charleeni with a metal broomstick, various handles and sticks.
The prosecution wants a first degree murder conviction.
"The way I see it is both the parents, regardless of who the beater was, are responsible for what happened to that child. They were there and saw those injuries occurring everyday," said Assistant D.A. James Berardinelli.
Garabito was held over for trial on general murder charges. The judge concluded That Charleeni was tortured and raped with a lot of people failing her, family, doctors who examined her before her death, any agency that didn't stand up and holler for help for this child.
The defense strategy is clear dump as much of the blame as they can in the father's grave.
"This woman is accepting responsibility and what we're saying is this woman did not intend to kill the child, this woman is not guilty of first degree murder," said Attorney Barbera McDermott.
Mother charged with murder in abuse death of Charlenni
The stepmother of 10-year-old Charlenni Ferreira smashed the top of the girl's head with a metal broom handle about three months before Charlenni died, according to court testimony yesterday.Margarita Garabito told detectives, "I did it with a broomstick," as she repeatedly slapped her hand to her chest, implicating herself, Homicide Det. Norma Serrano testified as she showed how Garabito had pounded her chest.
Assistant medical examiner Marlon Osbourne testified that the wound on Charlenni's head had been stuffed with gauze, and then covered with a hair weave held onto her head by pins "embedded in her scalp."
The head wound - which measured seven inches by four inches and went down to the girl's skull - was just one of Charlenni's many injuries, Osbourne and another doctor said yesterday at Garabito's preliminary hearing.
Authorities contend that Charlenni suffered years of abuse by her stepmother and father in their Feltonville home, on C Street near Loudon. The girl died Oct. 21, after being found unconscious in the home.
Yesterday, Municipal Court Judge Patrick F. Dugan held Garabito, 43, for trial on all charges, including first- and third-degree murder, conspiracy and possession of an instrument of crime.
Charlenni's father, Domingo Ferreira, 53, hanged himself in his city jail cell four days after the girl's death.
Osbourne said that Charlenni died from multiple blunt-impact injuries and "pleural empyema," a collection of pus and fluid between the lungs and the inside of the chest. He said that the fluid build-up caused her left lung to collapse and was a source of infection.
Charlenni suffered five fractured ribs, Osbourne said. Three were fractured about a month before her death, then broken again.
Assistant District Attorney James Berardinelli yesterday displayed photos of Charlenni's various wounds on a large projection screen as Osbourne testified.
In addition to photos of Charlenni's large, months-old head wound and of her nearly bald head (her hair couldn't grow back over the scar tissue or where her wound was), there were pictures of a fresh wound on the side of her head, scars on her back, a fractured shoulder blade, evidence that her nose had been broken, and bruises on her chest and arm.
Charlenni's left hip also had a "bony deformity" caused by a months-old blunt trauma, and round bruises on her left thigh, consistent with finger marks, Osbourne said. There also was evidence of tears in her vaginal area.
Assistant medical examiner Marlon Osbourne testified that the wound on Charlenni's head had been stuffed with gauze, and then covered with a hair weave held onto her head by pins "embedded in her scalp."
The head wound - which measured seven inches by four inches and went down to the girl's skull - was just one of Charlenni's many injuries, Osbourne and another doctor said yesterday at Garabito's preliminary hearing.
Authorities contend that Charlenni suffered years of abuse by her stepmother and father in their Feltonville home, on C Street near Loudon. The girl died Oct. 21, after being found unconscious in the home.
Yesterday, Municipal Court Judge Patrick F. Dugan held Garabito, 43, for trial on all charges, including first- and third-degree murder, conspiracy and possession of an instrument of crime.
Charlenni's father, Domingo Ferreira, 53, hanged himself in his city jail cell four days after the girl's death.
Osbourne said that Charlenni died from multiple blunt-impact injuries and "pleural empyema," a collection of pus and fluid between the lungs and the inside of the chest. He said that the fluid build-up caused her left lung to collapse and was a source of infection.
Charlenni suffered five fractured ribs, Osbourne said. Three were fractured about a month before her death, then broken again.
Assistant District Attorney James Berardinelli yesterday displayed photos of Charlenni's various wounds on a large projection screen as Osbourne testified.
In addition to photos of Charlenni's large, months-old head wound and of her nearly bald head (her hair couldn't grow back over the scar tissue or where her wound was), there were pictures of a fresh wound on the side of her head, scars on her back, a fractured shoulder blade, evidence that her nose had been broken, and bruises on her chest and arm.
Charlenni's left hip also had a "bony deformity" caused by a months-old blunt trauma, and round bruises on her left thigh, consistent with finger marks, Osbourne said. There also was evidence of tears in her vaginal area.
In a statement she gave to police, read in court by Serrano, Garabito said that the large head wound occurred "three months ago, maybe sooner. I hit her with a metal broom handle on her head . . . but nothing to kill her."
She said that the last time she hit Charlenni, six days before the girl's death, was because Charlenni wanted to use a calculator to do her homework.
Garabito said that she would hit Charlenni with brooms, sticks and her hand, and that it had "been going on for over a year."
Cindy Christian, a doctor at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia who specializes in abuse cases, testified yesterday that while "her lungs were collapsing," Charlenni also suffered sexual abuse as evidenced by "very new" tears in the girl's private area.
Berardinelli said that a police report showed that swabs taken from Charlenni's rectal and oral areas had tested positive for sperm, but that swabs taken from her vaginal area did not. He said after the hearing that there was insufficient DNA from the rape-kit swabs to determine who sexually assaulted Charlenni, but would not rule out that other evidence may point to a perpetrator.
Garabito, in her statement to police, said that her two sons, ages 16 and 18, who also lived in the house, never slept with Charlenni, and that Domingo Ferreira hadn't, either. She said that her husband did not hit Charlenni.
Defense attorney Barbara McDermott contended that there was no evidence that her client intended to kill Charlenni and argued that she should not be held on first-degree murder charges. The judge disagreed, saying that Charlenni's "life on Earth was pure hell."
i went to school with Chalenni, and i remember one day that one of the staff asked me to walk her to the nurse. She always stayed with the staff member "ms.davids". Well when we went down the stairs from the cafeteria, she took her time going down the stairs and always breathed heavy. i always thought in the back of my head "why she breathe like that" then a few months after her death my little brother stumbled upon a small picture of her in a tiara and showed me and i was like "oh my gosh she looked so sweet and beautiful....what happen" thats when my mom told me about what happen but my mom didnt know all the fact and i felt bad cuz charlenni didnt talk much to me. i didnt know much about her thats why. but i was in the class room across from her. i wish i could have listened to her if she told me anything but anyways she was getting teased at, at school and i wish i could have said something to stick up for her...but how can i when i was going through bullying as well.
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