SACRAMENTO, Calif. (PSN) — The parents of an 8-month-old girl have been arrested and charged with murder following an investigation into her death, Sacramento County authorities announced Thursday.
Hussein Abughazaleh and Kristina Siedlecki are accused of causing the death of their daughter, Jannah Abughazaleh, who was found unresponsive on August 25 with severe burns covering much of her body.
According to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, detectives began investigating after the child’s parents reported the burns were sustained during a bath several days earlier. However, both admitted to watching their daughter’s condition deteriorate without seeking medical help.
“They knew she was dying,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “Despite her injuries and impending death, they never sought medical care for Jannah, in fear of being arrested and having CPS involved.”
The Sacramento County Coroner recently ruled Jannah’s death a homicide, prompting detectives to secure arrest warrants. On Tuesday, December 3, the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau arrested Abughazaleh and Siedlecki without incident.
The couple remains in the Sacramento County Jail, held without bail. Their initial court appearance was scheduled for Thursday at 3 p.m.
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