Warning: Graphic and distressing content
The mother of a 10-year-old girl who was found dead and dismembered told police she sought out men online to sexually abuse her daughter.
Michelle Martens admitted to setting up at least three encounters to rape her daughter, Victoria.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, the 35-year-old didn’t do it for money, she did it because she enjoyed watching.
The day after her 10th birthday, Victoria was given methamphetamine, sexually assaulted, strangled, stabbed, dismembered and then finally lit on fire, reports CBS.
Police were tipped off by someone who heard a disturbance coming from the apartment and what they found when they arrived was truly horrific.
Police arrested Ms Martens along with Fabian Gonzales, 31, a man she met online, as well as his cousin, Jessica Kelly and they are facing chrages of child abuse resulting in death, kidnapping and tampering with evidence.
Police are still trying to determine what exactly went down inside that apartment.
“This is a horrific tragedy for our community,” Albuquerque Police Chief Gorden Eden told reporters.
“I want to assure the public that we will pursue justice and we will make sure that we exhaust every resource into this investigation.”
“I would ask the citizens of Albuquerque keep the first responders who had to enter that scene today in their thoughts and prayers,” Albuquerque Police Officer Tanner Tixier told the station. “What these gentlemen and women saw – no human being should ever have to see.”
A shrine has been set up for Victoria near the apartment complex where she lived with relatives and friends leaving flowers, balloons, stuffed animals and candles.
“She was incredibly social,” Christie Zamora told CBS of Vicotria, who attended her gymnastics classes and always seemed happy.
“It’s just so tragic.”
