Two parents and a grandmother have been arrested after an apparently malnourished 6-year-old boy died.
Flagstaff police officers were called to the home Monday afternoon after receiving reports of a 6-year-old boy who was unresponsive.
Officers attempted life-saving measures until medical personnel arrived. He was not able to be resuscitated and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police say the 6-year-old appeared malnourished and his physical appearance “did not compliment his age.” There were no obvious signs of trauma to the child’s body.
The parents admitted that the boy and his 7-year-old brother would be kept in a bedroom closet and denied food at times. The parents reportedly said they were kept in the closet because they would sneak out at night and steal food.
Police say the 7-year-old child also appeared malnourished.
The children were reportedly kept in the closet under those circumstances for about a month.
The grandmother of the children also admitted to knowing about the conditions and admitted to disciplining the kids when they stole food.
Department of Child Safety personnel took custody of three siblings, ages 2, 4, and 7.
Anthony Jose Archibeque-Martinez, 23, Elizabeth Archibeque-Martinez, 26, and Ann Marie Martinez, 50, were all arrested and booked into the Coconino County Jail for first-degree homicide and two counts of child abuse.
