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

[Cryptic]

Our system just seems unfixable. My family started the foster system years ago and it was borderline ridiculous. We had a nice house, extra bedrooms. They required a house water test (?) which I found odd when you see stories of foster kids living in squalor. But what stopped us was they made it so difficult in our state.

I understand your frustration.

I knew a foster care couple who was told to place stickers on ground windows lest a child run through the window. The stickers had to be a certain size by regulation and placed at a regulation height level.

But.... there is hope. My state has taken alot of steps to reduce "red tape" that understandably turns off potential foster families.

CPS also puts the foster parent in control. Foster care parents choose what children they are willing to parent. No parent is pressured to keep children that they cannot cope with. Returning or declining a child in no way leads to a "black mark" that inhibits them from having other children placed with them.

Likewise, foster parents are allowed to make parenting decisions that are best for them and best for their birth children. Not a lot of second guessing by case workers over whether parenting decision "D" inhibits the foster child's "freedoms".

Of course, what happened here was torture over a long period of time followed by murder. More authority given to foster parents stops well short of that.

 

[Cryptic]

Leticia probably believed her own lies of how "spiritually special and holy" she was by adopting those needy children and "teaching" them the right way to behave. ​

Though I fully agree with many aspects of your good post, I think this maybe an over simplification.

Though they arrived at the control Nazi level and need to be held accountable, their arrival may of been a spiral and not purely a desire to control.

Some foster kids arrive with pretty severe behavior problems and foster parents can get sucked in. For example, one of my unofficial foster youths ("C") liked stabbing things and liked wantonly killing animals.

My family enjoys the outdoors, so a youth habitually carrying a knife does not bother me per se. Likewise, one of my sons hunts and fishes. A youth who Kills animals does not bother me per se. The "wanton" part, however did.

My wife and I ended up cutting ties with "C". Thus, we were never at risk of being "sucked in" to a bad situation that could have gotten worse.

But what if we took on the challenge with "C"? We would, of course, need to be held accountable for any criminal abuse. But.... our intent with "C" may not of started as "we want to assert Nazi type cntrol".

 

[Curious Me]

...Some foster kids arrive with pretty severe behavior problems and foster parents can get sucked in...

With all due respect, and taking what you say into consideration, I need to remind you of the circumstances. Being a parent, or a foster parent, should not be that different in that you need to have empathy for the child and know how to deal with behavior certainly without torturing or killing the child.

Aarabella was literally starved, and tortured in many ways by four members of this adoptive family. They beat her. She had broken bones and evidence of past broken bones. This isn't about foster parenting-- None of them apparently knew how to raise children and were allowed to adopt three siblings. They were trying to control using torture.

Perhaps you think you had something in common being a foster parent yourself, and need to defend this family's actions. You don't. Foster parents just like bio parents come in all shapes and sizes. MOO, hopefully, you are not the same as these adoptive parents.

Please, read the reports, understand the tactics used by this adoptive family to control the behavior of children in their care. Understand the adoptive mother's role in the church, and her belief that she was in a spiritual warfare battle with a little girl named Aarabella. That she needed to break rulers beating the little girl into submission, and then there was the adoptive grandmother the enforcer of punishments. No way is any of this the correct way to deal with a child's behavior, but in all honesty I don't think Aarabella had the issues. MOO, the adoptive family had the issues.

Please understand that many of us here have raised children. You are not the only one to have raised children. We all can tell stories of our experiences. MOO, Aarabella is dead at 11 yrs. old, and I hardly think we should victim blame her by implying she had behavioral problems when I have read of none. MOO, the adults were in charge. The adoptive father killed himself the minute police arrived to investigate Aarabella's death. That should tell you something. ​

 

[Cryptic]

With all due respect, and taking what you say into consideration, I need to remind you of the circumstances. Being a parent, or a foster parent, should not be that different in that you need to have empathy for the child and know how to deal with behavior certainly without torturing or killing the child.

Please understand that many of us here have raised children. You are not the only one to have raised children. We all can tell stories of our experiences.​

Never claimed to have been the only one to raise a child. Good grasp of the obvious- there are many parents out there.

Rather, I did actually state that:

- Foster parents cant get in over their heads with some children.
- Some foster children can be more difficult than they seem.
- Not everyone who commits criminal child abuse starts out with bad intent.

Please be aware that not all parents (and especially not all foster parent) have your apparently flawless insight into the future. As a result, they might not have your ability to take pre-emptive action with 100% accuracy.

 

[Curious Me]

...Please be aware that not all parents (and especially not all foster parent) have your apparently flawless insight into the future. As a result, they might not have your ability to take pre-emptive action with 100% accuracy.

I respect your opinion, and think it's great you were a foster parent. This family fostered the children before they were adopted by them, so they knew ahead of time any challenges; However, I do not believe there were any reported behavioral challenges on record with Aarabella.

(Note also, she was not physically abused by her biological parents. As far as I know, there were no instances of Aarabella being a child with behavioral issues, or a challenge to teachers or parents before being adopted, or after really. MOO-- Victim blaming the child for being abused makes me uncomfortable to hear.)

With all due respect, it seems possible you're viewing it through the lens of your own experience with a troubled foster child. MOO, this adoptive family seemed to start out with the thought they could mold the children into what they wanted them to be by using physical suffering and starvation to control them. They even pulled Aarabella out of school. MOO, I believe it started out with that philosophy, that they could force the outcome of how these children would become submissive and controlled.

The adoptive family not only didn't have "accuracy in their actions" to care for these children, but one of them died at their hands-- Aarabella died at age 11, underweight, and with a history of fractured bones. I don't think we need to make excuses for the adoptive parents. You seem to want to excuse them as not planning to be abusive, but they were and over years. This abuse went on for several years, so there was plenty of time to seek outside counseling and some other way other than torture. All MOO​

 

[Cryptic]

I don't think we need to make excuses for the adoptive parents. You seem to want to excuse them as not planning to be abusive, but they were and over years. This abuse went on for several years, so there was plenty of time to seek outside counseling and some other way other than torture. All MOO​

I never excused the parent's actions and stated that they needed to be held accountable.

Your theory, however, is just as valid as mine:

A. Victim demonstrated no behavior problems. Adoptive parents had bad intent and were control driven from the start of the fostering. They then abuse and eventually murder the victim - verse -

B. Foster parents had good intentions at the start. Victim had behavior problems. Foster / adoptive parents then got in over their heads. They engage in a war of wills with the victim and murder her.

I favor my option "B" in part because, as you implied, I am pre-disposed to be sympathetic to foster parents in the over all sense. Though that pre disposition does not excuse criminal action, it does tilt me to giving them the benefit of the doubt by advancing that they might not of had bad intentions at the start.

 

[Curious Me]

All face Murder Charges now for the death of Aarabella.

Published January 16, 2024 • Updated on January 16, 2024 at 7:57 pm

Grandmother also charged with murder in San Diego child-abuse death case

The mother of a former San Diego megachurch leader “seemed to enjoy” inflicting abuse, according to prosecutors

www.nbcsandiego.com

San Diego prosecutors added new charges Tuesday against the adoptive family members accused in the Arabella McCormack child-abuse death case.

The 11-year-old girl was rushed to hospital in August 2022 suffering from severe malnutrition. Doctors couldn’t save her.​

[...]

All three faced three counts each of child abuse and torture. Until Tuesday, however, only Leticia McCormack and her father faced a charge of murder. Now, 71-year-old Adella also faces a murder charge. ​

 

[Curious Me]

Grandmother now also charged with murder in San Diego child-abuse death case​

Published January 16, 2024 • Updated on January 16, 2024 at 7:57 pm

Grandmother also charged with murder in San Diego child-abuse death case

The mother of a former San Diego megachurch leader “seemed to enjoy” inflicting abuse, according to prosecutors

www.nbcsandiego.com

Pro also revealed evidence of a recording that she said shows Adella and Stanley forcing Arabella to exercise. The prosecutor said it revealed Adella’s mindset and callousness toward the 11-year-old.​

“Arabella can be heard crying in the video while Mrs. Tom mocks her — the fact that she doesn’t get to eat food or get food until she does her exercises,” Pro said.

Prosecutors said Arabella weighed just 48 pounds at the time of her death, less than her weight at age 5. Arabella was covered in bruises and had at least 15 separate bone fractures, according to Pro.

Prior news article from June 2023

Published June 19, 2023 • Updated on June 27, 2023 at 11:56 am

San Diego County social workers investigated suspected child abuse complaints four years before adopted girl’s death

Social workers investigated reports of suspected child abuse years before prosecutors say 11-year-old Arabella McCormack was tortured and starved to death by her adoptive family. That’s according to hundreds of internal documents from San Diego County’s Child Welfare Services Department.

www.nbcsandiego.com

 

[Curious Me]

The grandmother lost her bail eligibility and is now to be held in jail until the trial. All four adoptive family members took part in abusing these children. (The father shot himself in front of LE when they came to investigate.) They say the grandmother was the main authority punishment enforcer. The grandmother, from the reports, seemed to have been callous and showed no mercy towards Aarabella, making her suffer in many ways. Imagine being a young girl having to endure four people's sick idea of discipline.

Grandmother also charged with murder in San Diego child-abuse death case

The mother of a former San Diego megachurch leader “seemed to enjoy” inflicting abuse, according to prosecutors

www.nbcsandiego.com

"Adella was also previously eligible to bail out of jail on $100,000 bond. However, with the new murder charge, prosecutors asked the judge to remove the possibility of bail entirely. Judge Kathleen Lewis agreed. Now, all three suspects are being held without bail while they await trial."​

 

[Niner]

I do not believe this has been posted yet - good article on what is going on...

Girl, 11, Allegedly Endured More than 700 Acts of Abuse, Was Punished for How She Ate Cereal: Prosecutors

Arabella McCormack, 11, weighed 48 lbs. when she died in 2022.

people.com

Jan. 22, 2024

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, January 30th:
*Status Hearing for all (@ 8:30am PT) - CA - Aarabella McCormack (11) tortured & abuse & died & 2 sisters (6 & 7) abused & tortured, August 30, 2022, San Diego) – *Leticia Diane McCormack (49/now 50) 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.
Additionally charged (1/16/24) with conspiracy to commit child torture. Plead not guilty (1/16/24). Still held without bond.
*CA -Aarabella McCormack (11) & 2 sisters (6 & 7) – *Adella Juanita Tom (70/now 72) 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. Bond denied (11/29/22). Bond denied (12/20/22). Bond set at $100K (3/6/23).
Additionally charged (1/16/24) with murder & conspiracy to commit child torture. Plead not guilty (1/16/24) Held without bond. (1/16/24).
*CA - Aarabella McCormack (11) & 2 sisters (6 & 7) - *Stanley Tom (75/now 76) McCormack's father arrested (11/7/22) & charged (11/8/22) with 1 count of murder, 3 counts of torture & 3 counts of willful child cruelty. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Additionally charged (1/16/24) with conspiracy to commit child torture. Plead not guilty (1/16/24). Still 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 8/29/23 reference post #157 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...y-adoptive-caregivers-san-diego.644196/page-8
10/24/23 Update: Next Preliminary Exam Readiness hearing on 1/16/24 @ 8:30am & preliminary exam on 1/30/24 @ 8:40am for all. 1/12/24 Update: A felony bail review hearing will also be on 1/16/24.
1/16/24 Update: San Diego prosecutors added new charges Tuesday against Adella Tom also faces a murder charge. Deputy DA Meredith Pro also announced Tuesday that all three will face a Tuesday, new charge of conspiracy to commit child torture. The trio were arraigned on the new charges Tuesday, & all pleaded not guilty. Adella was also previously eligible to bail out of jail on $100K bond. However, with the new murder charge, prosecutors asked the judge to remove the possibility of bail entirely. Judge Kathleen Lewis agreed. Now, all three suspects are being held without bail while they await trial. The case also appears headed for another delay. The alternative public defender assigned to Adella is leaving the case & another public defender will be assigned. A preliminary hearing scheduled for 1/30/24 was changed to a status hearing & all future court dates have been put on hold since that new attorney will likely need time to familiarize themselves with the complex case. Next status hearing on 1/30/24 @ 8:30am.

 

[Niner]

No link - an email to me...

District Attorney Case Notification <[email protected]>
10:46 AM (1 hour ago)
to me
THE FOLLOWING EVENT(S) HAVE BEEN ADDED FOR CASE CE414848:

Preliminary Exam Readiness scheduled for Mar 11 2024 8:30AM at the San Diego Superior Court, East County Division, East County Regional Center in Department 2.

Preliminary Exam scheduled for Apr 15 2024 8:40AM at the San Diego Superior Court, East County Division, East County Regional Center in Department 11.

 

[Niner]

Monday, March 11th:
*Preliminary Exam Readiness Hearing for all (@ 8:30am PT) - CA - Aarabella McCormack (11) tortured & abuse & died & 2 sisters (6 & 7) abused & tortured, August 30, 2022, San Diego) – *Leticia Diane McCormack (49/now 50) 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.
Additionally charged (1/16/24) with conspiracy to commit child torture. Plead not guilty (1/16/24). Still held without bond.
*CA -Aarabella McCormack (11) & 2 sisters (6 & 7) – *Adella Juanita Tom (70/now 72) 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. Bond denied (11/29/22). Bond denied (12/20/22). Bond set at $100K (3/6/23).
Additionally charged (1/16/24) with murder & conspiracy to commit child torture. Plead not guilty (1/16/24) Held without bond. (1/16/24).
*CA - Aarabella McCormack (11) & 2 sisters (6 & 7) - *Stanley Tom (75/now 76) McCormack's father arrested (11/7/22) & charged (11/8/22) with 1 count of murder, 3 counts of torture & 3 counts of willful child cruelty. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Additionally charged (1/16/24) with conspiracy to commit child torture. Plead not guilty (1/16/24). Still 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 1/12/24 reference post #171 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...y-adoptive-caregivers-san-diego.644196/page-9
1/16/24 Update: San Diego prosecutors added new charges Tuesday against Adella Tom also faces a murder charge. Deputy DA Meredith Pro also announced Tuesday that all three will face a Tuesday, new charge of conspiracy to commit child torture. The trio were arraigned on the new charges Tuesday, & all pleaded not guilty. Adella was also previously eligible to bail out of jail on $100K bond. However, with the new murder charge, prosecutors asked the judge to remove the possibility of bail entirely. Judge Kathleen Lewis agreed. Now, all three suspects are being held without bail while they await trial. The case also appears headed for another delay. The alternative public defender assigned to Adella is leaving the case & another public defender will be assigned. A preliminary hearing scheduled for 1/30/24 was changed to a status hearing & all future court dates have been put on hold since that new attorney will likely need time to familiarize themselves with the complex case. Next status hearing on 1/30/24 @ 8:30am.
1/30/24 Update: Next for all preliminary exam readiness hearing on 3/11/24 @ 8:30am.

 

[Niner]

from my email alert:

District Attorney Case Notification <[email protected]>
9:46 AM (52 minutes ago)

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

The event "Preliminary Exam" scheduled for Apr 15 2024 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:

Preliminary Exam Readiness scheduled for Jun 4 2024 8:30AM at the San Diego Superior Court, East County Division, East County Regional Center in Department 2.

Preliminary Exam scheduled for Aug 6 2024 8:40AM at the San Diego Superior Court, East County Division, East County Regional Center in Department 11.

 

[iusedtofloat]

Do you have any details on the pattern regarding homeschooled children? My guess is that home schooled children are no more, and no less likely to be abused than non homeschooled children are.

Some Preliminary Data on Homeschool Child Fatalities - Homeschooling's Invisible Children

We are frequently asked why we focus on abuse in homeschool settings when children who attend school are also victims of abuse and neglect. We support efforts to better protect all abused and neglected children, regardless of how they Read More

www.hsinvisiblechildren.org

 

[imstilla.grandma]

*Jan 18, 2024
A newly amended criminal complaint filed this week lists nearly 700 overt acts prosecutors say were committed in furtherance of the alleged conspiracy, including routine deprivation of food, water and bathroom trips.

Prosecutors also allege the three sisters were hit with a belt or paddle.

Conspiracy to torture alleged against mother, grandparents accused in Spring Valley child's death

Newly filed charges allege parents, grandparents "worked as a team to create an environment of torment, pain, suffering, violence, and fear" for three adopted sisters. The oldest, 11-year-old Arabella McCormack, died.

www.sandiegouniontribune.com

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, June 4th:
*Preliminary Exam Readiness Hearing for all (@ 8:30am PT) - CA - Aarabella McCormack (11) tortured & abuse & died & 2 sisters (6 & 7) abused & tortured, August 30, 2022, San Diego) – *Leticia Diane McCormack (49/now 50) 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.
Additionally charged (1/16/24) with conspiracy to commit child torture. Plead not guilty (1/16/24). Still held without bond.
*CA -Aarabella McCormack (11) & 2 sisters (6 & 7) – *Adella Juanita Tom (70/now 72) 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. Bond denied (11/29/22). Bond denied (12/20/22). Bond set at $100K (3/6/23).
Additionally charged (1/16/24) with murder & conspiracy to commit child torture. Plead not guilty (1/16/24) Held without bond. (1/16/24).
*CA - Aarabella McCormack (11) & 2 sisters (6 & 7) - *Stanley Tom (75/now 76) McCormack's father arrested (11/7/22) & charged (11/8/22) with 1 count of murder, 3 counts of torture & 3 counts of willful child cruelty. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Additionally charged (1/16/24) with conspiracy to commit child torture. Plead not guilty (1/16/24). Still 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 1/16/24 reference post #173 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...y-adoptive-caregivers-san-diego.644196/page-9
1/30/24 Update: Next for all preliminary exam readiness hearing on 3/11/24 @ 8:30am. 3/11/24 Update: Next preliminary exam readiness hearing on 6/4/24 @ 8:30am & preliminary exam on 8/6/24 @ 8:40am for all.

 

[Niner]

In my search I found an article that said 20 hours ago - but the date was for Jan., 2024.... so nothing coming up for me here.

Their next hearing is preliminary exam on 8/6 @ 8:40am for all - so I will move them there.

Maybe someone local or in the U.S. can find something about that hearing...

 

[Niner]

Oops - just got an email - no link...

District Attorney Case Notification <[email protected]>
10:47 AM (10 minutes ago)

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

The event "Preliminary Exam" scheduled for Aug 6 2024 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:

Preliminary Exam scheduled for Feb 26 2025 8:40AM at the San Diego Superior Court, East County Division, East County Regional Center in Department 11.

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, February 26th:
*Preliminary Exam Hearing for all (@ 8:40am PT) - CA - Aarabella McCormack (11) tortured & abuse & died & 2 sisters (6 & 7) abused & tortured, August 30, 2022, San Diego) – *Leticia Diane McCormack (49/now 51) 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.
Additionally charged (1/16/24) with conspiracy to commit child torture. Plead not guilty (1/16/24). Still held without bond. San Diego County
*CA -Aarabella McCormack (11) & 2 sisters (6 & 7) – *Adella Juanita Tom (70/now 73) 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. Bond denied (11/29/22). Bond denied (12/20/22). Bond set at $100K (3/6/23).
Additionally charged (1/16/24) with murder & conspiracy to commit child torture. Plead not guilty (1/16/24) Held without bond. (1/16/24). San Diego County
*CA - Aarabella McCormack (11) & 2 sisters (6 & 7) - *Stanley Tom (75/now 77) McCormack's father arrested (11/7/22) & charged (11/8/22) with 1 count of murder, 3 counts of torture & 3 counts of willful child cruelty. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Additionally charged (1/16/24) with conspiracy to commit child torture. Plead not guilty (1/16/24). Still held without bond. San Diego/East County
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 1/16/24 reference post #173 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...y-adoptive-caregivers-san-diego.644196/page-9
1/30/24 Update: Next for all preliminary exam readiness hearing on 3/11/24 @ 8:30am. 3/11/24 Update: Next preliminary exam readiness hearing on 6/4/24 @ 8:30am & preliminary exam on 8/6/24 @ 8:40am for all.
6/4/24 Update: No info yet on hearing. Next preliminary exam for all on 8/6/24 was vacated. Next preliminary exam hearing on 2/26/25 @ 8:0am.