BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) \u2014 The father and stepmother accused in the torture and killing of 8-year-old Genesis Mata will face trial after a judge ruled Wednesday there was sufficient evidence on all seven counts against them.<\/p>\n
Ray Mata and Graciela Bustamante are charged in the child\u2019s death following what investigators described as months of horrific abuse. During the preliminary hearing, a sexual assault response team nurse testified that Genesis showed signs of chronic abuse and sexual assault, according to Bakersfield Police Detective Charles Jordan.<\/p>\n
On the second day of testimony, investigators detailed the evidence collected throughout the case \u2014 including interviews, reports, and examinations of both Genesis and her 11-year-old brother, identified in court as \u201cJ Doe.\u201d Detective Jordan testified that J Doe told forensic interviewers his stepmother, Bustamante, burned him with a hair straightener, poured boiling water on both him and Genesis, and forced Genesis to hide in a closet. J Doe also said his father, Mata, struck him with a cord on multiple occasions.<\/p>\n
In a jailhouse interview with 23ABC in August, Bustamante denied ever abusing the children. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe would always hit them,\u201d she said of Mata. She also claimed the family never had contact with Child Protective Services. <\/p>\n
However, Detective Jordan testified that J told interviewers CPS had been looking for him and that Bustamante and Mata would send him to stay with relatives or make him wear a ski mask to avoid being seen.<\/p>\n
Text messages presented in court between Bustamante and someone she referred to as \u201cMYY HUBBY\u201d appeared to show the pair discussing social workers outside their hotel and hiding J Doe. Other messages revealed disturbing conversations about Genesis, with both adults using derogatory terms and discussing dropping her off somewhere \u201cto be disciplined.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Detective Steven Glenn\u2019s testimony, one message from Bustamante read, \u201cI let her know we whoop her every a** day,\u201d to which \u201cMY HUBBY\u201d replied, \u201cBet. Let her heal up then,” and “we can go dump her there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Courtroom testimony became so emotional during Detective Glenn\u2019s appearance that the judge called for a recess.<\/p>\n
The judge determined there was enough evidence for the couple to move forward to trial facing all seven felony charges including:<\/p>\n
First-degree murderWillful cruelty to a childTortureAggravated mayhemTorture\u00a0(a second count)Willful cruelty to a child\u00a0(a second count)Inflicting corporal injury on a childv<\/p>\n
Ray Mata and Graciela Bustamante are scheduled to return to court on November 10 at 8:30 a.m. in Bakersfield.<\/p>\n
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