CA - Aarabella McCormack, 11, Murdered, 2 Siblings Abused and Tortured by Adoptive Caregivers, San Diego, Nov 2022

[Bishop Black]

California megachurch cuts ties with elder accused of killing adoptive daughter and torturing siblings

The Rock Church of San Diego has cut ties with Leticia McCormack, a church elder who is accused of torturing her 11-year-old daughter, Arabella McCormack, to death.

www.foxnews.com

Leticia McCormack, a 49-year-old ordained elder at the Rock Church, is charged with murder, three counts of torture and three counts of willful child cruelty in connection with the death of her daughter, Arabella McCormack, and the abuse of her other children, according to officials.

Authorities located Arabella inside the home and suspected child abuse. They transported the girl to the hospital, where her health ultimately declined over time, leading to her death.

During their investigation, police contacted the 11-year-old's adoptive father, Brian McCormack, who committed suicide in officers' presence, according to a press release.

McCormack, who is described as an Asian female, is being held in the San Diego County Jail without bond.

 

[Teche]

Fly high, angel.
May justice be swift and harsh.

 

[Tracey4AU]

For the love of all that’s holy…. Just SMH

 

[borndem]

At least she is in custody already. And some unfortunate attorney is going to have to work with her and defend her in court. And the little girl's adoptive father committed suicide in officers' presence. What a sad and brutal-sounding mess.
Damm.

 

[5W's]

Megachurch elder, parents charged in murder, torture of adopted daughter Arabella McCormack

Leticia McCormack, 49, was charged Monday with murder, three counts of torture and three counts of willful cruelty to a child in the death of Arabella McCormack, the San Diego County Sheriff’…

nypost.com

How horrible is this. Just awful!

 

[mickey2942]

Another adopted child, dead.

 

[loveplace]

Megachurch elder, parents charged in murder, torture of adopted daughter Arabella McCormack

Leticia McCormack, 49, was charged Monday with murder, three counts of torture and three counts of willful cruelty to a child in the death of Arabella McCormack, the San Diego County Sheriff’…

nypost.com

How horrible is this. Just awful!

It both amazes and sickens me how often we see this type of thing with kids in foster care/adopted homes etc. Our society is failing children at so many levels.

 

[5W's]

It both amazes and sickens me how often we see this type of thing with kids in foster care/adopted homes etc. Our society is failing children at so many levels.

I understand what you are saying. Perhaps the system needs an overhaul when working with children. Not only was I sickened by this I also wanted to point out that there are such people out there. I mean these people are respected as the elders of a church, its horrible. One wouldn't suspect something like this from them but it happened. And along with their daughter making it even more horrific. IMO its society's responsibility to weed these horrific people out so they can't harm. But I find that people close thier minds and think that this sort of thing is a one off. Unfortunately its not.

 

[loveplace]

I understand what you are saying. Perhaps the system needs an overhaul when working with children. Not only was I sickened by this I also wanted to point out that there are such people out there. I mean these people are respected as the elders of a church, its horrible. One wouldn't suspect something like this from them but it happened. And along with their daughter making it even more horrific. IMO its society's responsibility to weed these horrific people out so they can't harm. But I find that people close thier minds and think that this sort of thing is a one off. Unfortunately its not.

Sadly I can't say I'm at all surprised about the church aspect. There is a great deal of evil hidden behind the "virtue" of religion. Evil can hide anywhere. Just my opinion.

 

[Niner]

Following this case... and found these:

Defendant: Leticia Diane McCormack

Defense Counsel: Gregory Garrison
Court No. CE414848
Date Time Event
11/16/2022 08:30 AM Felony Bail Review

Location: San Diego Superior Court, East County Division, East County Regional Center, Dept. 2




Defendant: Adella Juanita Tom

Defense Counsel: Thomas Carnessale
Court No. CE414848
Date Time Event
11/16/2022 08:30 AM Felony Bail Review

Location: San Diego Superior Court, East County Division, East County Regional Center, Dept. 2



Defendant: Stanley Tom

Defense Counsel: Randy Wagner
Court No. CE414848
Date Time Event
11/16/2022 08:30 AM Preliminary Exam Readiness

Location: San Diego Superior Court, East County Division, East County Regional Center, Dept. 2


link: Case Information, Search - San Diego County District Attorney

 

[Niner]

The court site doesn't say "when" all these people were arrested - anyone have that date? I know the charges were filed on 11/4/22. TIA!

 

[Niner]

San Diego Rock Church Pastor Breaks Silence on Former Church Elder Charged With Child-Abuse Death

San Diego Rock Church Pastor Miles McPherson spoke out publicly on Sunday about the death of 11-year-old Aarabella McCormack. It was the first time he addressed the adopted child’s killing and the arrest of three former church members in connection with her death. That included her adoptive...

www.nbcsandiego.com

Nov. 14, 2022 - according to this article:

McCormack and her parents, Adella and Stanley Tom, are accused of abusing and torturing McCormack’s three adopted daughters. McCormack and her father are also accused of murdering Aarabella.

Wondering if that is true - all I have seen in other articles only McCormack has been charged with the murder.

Anyone?

 

[Niner]

well - now I found this article.

Megachurch volunteer charged with murder of her own daughter

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The mother and grandfather of an 11-year-old California girl who was allegedly tortured and starved for years have been arrested and

www.courttv.com

Nov. 14, 2022
SAN DIEGO (AP) — The mother and grandfather of an 11-year-old California girl who was allegedly tortured and starved for years have been arrested and charged with murder, while her grandmother faces abuse charges.

Leticia McCormack, 49, and her parents pleaded not guilty to the charges Wednesday in Superior Court of California in the San Diego suburb of El Cajon.
[.....]
The couple became foster parents to the girls in 2017, before adopting them two years later, according to the San Diego Union Tribune, whose reporter spoke to the girls’ biological mother outside the courthouse Wednesday. She said the girls were being homeschooled.


Leticia McCormack and her parents were arrested Nov. 7 and remain held without bail. The victim’s siblings have been placed in foster care, according to the sheriff’s department.
[.....]
Torriana Florey, the biological mother of the girls, told The San Diego Union Tribune that she lost custody of her three daughters to Child Protective Services because of a “domestic violence dispute” with their father. Florey said she suffers from bipolar disorder.

She told the newspaper her daughter’s name is spelled Aarabella not Arabella as authorities have written it.

“I couldn’t be the mom the courts wanted me to be, because I was learning,” Florey said. “Aarabella was my first daughter.”


I will contact a Mod - and see if I can get Aarabella's name up on the title, instead of the mother's...

 

[Tracey4AU]

It's hard enough to wrap my brain around ONE person being this evil in a home. But SEVERAL?? And the GRANDPARENTS?? I will always continue to be shocked by cases like this.

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, November 16th:
*Felony Bail Review Hearing (@ 8:30am PT) - CA - Aarabella McCormack (11) tortured & abuse & died & 2 other children abused & tortured, August 30, 2022, San Diego) - *Leticia Diane McCormack (49) indicted (11/4/22), arrested (11/7/22) & charged (11/8/22) with 1 count of murder, 3 counts of torture & 3 counts of willful child cruelty in connection with the death of Aarabelle & the abuse of her other children. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
*Felony Bail Review Hearing (@ 8:30am PT) - CA -Aarabella McCormack (11) & 2 other children - *Adella Juanita Tom (70) McCormack's mother arrested (11/7/22) & charged (11/8/22) with 3 counts of torture & 3 counts of willful child cruelty. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
*Preliminary Exam Readiness Hearing (@ 8:30am PT) – CA - Aarabella McCormack (11) & 2 other children - *Stanley Tom (75) McCormack's father arrested (11/7/22) & charged (11/8/22) with 1 count of murder, 3 counts of torture & 3 count of willful child cruelty. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Authorities located Arabella inside the home & suspected child abuse. They transported the girl to the hospital, where her health ultimately declined over time, leading to her death. During their investigation, police contacted the 11-year-old's adoptive father, Brian McCormack, who committed suicide in officers' presence, according to a press release.
The San Diego County Sheriff's Office (SDCSO) initially began its investigation into McCormack & her parents on Aug. 30, 202 while responding to reports of a child in distress at a home in the 3300 block of Lakeview Drive in Spring Valley. During their investigation, police contacted the 11-year-old's adoptive father, Brian McCormack, who committed suicide in officers' presence, according to a press release. Brian McCormack was a U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) agent.
11/8/22 Update: McCormack & her father Stanley Tom have been arrested & charged with murder, while her grandmother. Adella Tom faces abuse charges. McCormack & her parents pleaded not guilty to the charges Wednesday, 11/8/22 in Superior Court of California in the San Diego suburb of El Cajon. McCormack & her parents were arrested 11/7/22 & remain held without bail.
11/14/22 Update: For McCormack & Adella felony bond review hearing on 11/16/22 & Stanley a preliminary exam readiness hearing on 11/16/22 all at 8:30am. 11/15/22 Update: Per Case Notification: Preliminary Exam scheduled for 11/28/22 @ 8:40am but does not say who.

 

[Niner]

This is the only article I found - but I can not access it - can someone give a 10% synopsis on it? And if there is another court date hearing? I do have 11/28/22, but do not know who that belongs to. Also the court site still has 11/16/22 as hearing date.

Adoptive family members held with no bail in death of 11-year-old girl

Judge lifted tiling order for all three defendants charged with torture in death of Aarabella McCormack.

www.cbs8.com

 

[Niner]

Looks all their hearings were rescheduled.

Docket updates:

Defendant: Leticia Diane McCormack Defense Counsel: Gregory Garrison
Court No.CE414848

Date Time Event
11/29/2022 01:30 PM Felony Bail Review

Location:
San Diego Superior Court, East County Division, East County Regional Center, Dept. 2



Defendant: Adella Juanita Tom Defense Counsel: Randy Wagner
Court No. CE414848
Date Time Event
11/29/2022 01:30 PM Felony Bail Review

Location:
San Diego Superior Court, East County Division, East County Regional Center, Dept. 2



Defendant: Stanley Tom Defense Counsel: Shervin Samimi
Court No. CE414848

Date Time Event
01/18/2023 08:30 AM Preliminary Exam Readiness

Location:
San Diego Superior Court, East County Division, East County Regional Center, Dept. 2

link: Case Information, Search - San Diego County District Attorney




and I signed up for emails from the court - here is what I got this morning:


District Attorney Case Notification <[email protected]>

10:46 AM (17 minutes ago)

to me
THE FOLLOWING EVENT(S) HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM CASE CE414848:

The event "Preliminary Exam" scheduled for Nov 28 2022 8:40AM at the San Diego Superior Court, East County Division, East County Regional Center in department 11 has been Vacated.

THE FOLLOWING EVENT(S) HAVE BEEN ADDED FOR CASE CE414848:

Felony Bail Review scheduled for Nov 29 2022 1:30PM at the San Diego Superior Court, East County Division, East County Regional Center in Department 2.

Preliminary Exam Readiness scheduled for Jan 18 2023 8:30AM at the San Diego Superior Court, East County Division, East County Regional Center in Department 2.

Preliminary Exam scheduled for Mar 1 2023 8:40AM at the San Diego Superior Court, East County Division, East County Regional Center in Department 11.


Wondering if the 3/1/23 preliminary exam is for Stanley. Not on the court site.

 

[tlcya]

and again, adoptive caregivers torture and murder a child. When does it end?

In addition to child abuse and torture, McCormack and Stanley Tom are accused of murder in the girl’s death. McCormack and her parents also face allegations they abused and tortured the girl’s two sisters, ages 6 and 7, Steffen said.

The lieutenant said the three girls were adopted. Aarabella’s sisters now are living with a foster family.
[snip]
Huffstutler said Aarabella was pulled out of school after the girls were adopted, and that all three girls were homeschooled.
Mother, grandparents arrested in death of 11-year-old girl in Spring Valley

Police said Arabella had two sisters living with her, one is six years old and the other is seven. They are both now with foster families.

Family and friends told NBC San Diego that all three girls moved in with Leticia in 2017 and their adoptions were finalized "a couple years later."
Megachurch Leader Arrested Alongside Her Parents for Allegedly Torturing and Murdering Daughter

The three suspects allegedly abused and tortured McCormack’s three daughters for about five and a half years, leading up to Arabella’s death in late August, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported, citing a criminal complaint.
[snip]
Outside the courtroom Wednesday, the girls’ biological mom Torriana Florey told the Union-Tribune that Child Protective Services took her daughters because of a “domestic violence dispute” with their dad.

Florey also said she suffered from bipolar disorder, adding that “I couldn’t be the mom the courts wanted me to be, because I was learning. Arabella was my first daughter,” whom she described as a beautiful, bubbly and loving child.
Megachurch elder, parents charged in murder, torture of adopted daughter Arabella McCormack

The couple became foster parents to the girls in 2017, before adopting them two years later, according to the San Diego Union Tribune, whose reporter spoke to the girls’ biological mother outside the courthouse Wednesday. She said the girls were being homeschooled.
Megachurch volunteer charged with murder of her own daughter

BBM is not meant to bash homeschooling. Just to highlight that in cases of child abuse this is true to form for the perpetrators. Separate the child from the outside world and as many mandated reporters/witnesses/avenues of help as possible.

 

[HMSHood]

That is really horrible. There are adoptive parents who are abusive. Some even kill. There are also woman who kill someone else's children.

Adoptive Parents Who Committed Crimes
Jim Jones
Jerry Sandusky
Lori Drew
Nicole Finn
Carri and Larry Williams
Sarah and Jennifer Hart

They all abused children. Jones committed mass suicide and murder in 1978. Sandusky abused many children. Drew drove Megan Meier to suicide. Finn abused and killed Natalie Finn. Williams abused and killed Hana WIlliams. The Harts killed all their adopted children by driving off a cliff.

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, November 29th:
*Felony Bail Review Hearing (@ 1:30pm PT) - CA - Aarabella McCormack (11) tortured & abuse & died & 2 sisters (6 & 7) abused & tortured, August 30, 2022, San Diego) - *Leticia Diane McCormack (49) adopted “mother” indicted (11/4/22), arrested (11/7/22) & charged (11/8/22) with 1 count of murder, 3 counts of torture & 3 counts of willful child cruelty in connection with the death of Arabelle & the abuse of her other children. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
*Felony Bail Review Hearing (@ 1:30pm PT) - CA -Aarabella McCormack (11) & 2 sisters (6 & 7) - *Adella Juanita Tom (70) McCormack's mother arrested (11/7/22) & charged (11/8/22) with 3 counts of torture & 3 counts of willful child cruelty. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
*CA - Aarabella McCormack (11) & 2 sisters (6 & &) - *Stanley Tom (75) McCormack's father arrested (11/7/22) & charged (11/8/22) with 1 count of murder, 3 counts of torture & 3 count of willful child cruelty. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
The three girls moved in the McCormack residence in 2017 as foster children & were adopted 2 years later. The three suspects allegedly abused & tortured McCormack’s three daughters for about five & a half years, leading up to Aarabella’s death in late August, 2022.
Case & Court info from 8/30/22 thru 11/8/22 reference post #15 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ured-by-adoptive-caregivers-san-diego.644196/
11/14/22 Update: For McCormack & Adella felony bond review hearing on 11/16/22 & Stanley a preliminary exam readiness hearing on 11/16/22 all at 8:30am. 11/15/22 Update: Per Case Notification: Preliminary Exam scheduled for 11/28/22 @ 8:40am but does not say who.
11/16/22 Update: On Wednesday, the three defendants, who were arrested last week & pleaded not guilty, appeared before an El Cajon judge for a hearing regarding their custodial status. McCormack & Adella Tom will revisit their bail during a 11/29/22 hearing, while Stanley Tom waived his right to a bail hearing. Should the defendants argue for bail to be set, prosecutors would be expected to argue why they should remain in custody without bail & possibly disclose details regarding the allegations against the trio. If convicted, McCormack & her father face a maximum sentence of 25 years to life, plus two life terms behind bars, while Adella Tom faces a maximum of two life terms in prison. For McCormack & Adella felony bond review hearing was rescheduled on 11/29/22 & Stanley’s preliminary exam readiness hearing was rescheduled on 1/18/23 & preliminary exam on 3/1/23.