Trial set for woman accused of abusing niece
Web Producer: Mekita Rivas
PHOENIX (AP) - An April 16 trial date has been set for a woman charged with abusing her 10-year-old niece who authorities say died after other relatives padlocked her in a footlocker.
Ammandea Stoltzmann, 25, is charged with abusing Ame Deal, but isn't charged in the child's death.
Stoltzmann is accused of scrubbing the 10-year-old's face with a wire brush, kicking her in the face and putting hot sauce in her mouth.
Five other Deal relatives are charged with child abuse in the case.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against two relatives charged in Deal's death.
Deal's relatives have all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Police say some relatives put the child in the footlocker for misbehaving, beat her with a wooden paddle and forced her to eat dog feces.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
This site uses Facebook comments to make it easier for you to contribute. If you see a comment you would like to flag for spam or abuse, click the "x" in the upper right of it. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use.