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

[Curious Me]

No article or video up on their news site yet, but I did see the news at Noon. Saw a shot of the adoptive grandmother wearing a big black face mask that looked linty. So, things are proceeding towards a trial.​

Local News from FOX 5 San Diego

Local news about people and events in San Diego County and Southern California

fox5sandiego.com

 

[Curious Me]

DBM

 

[Curious Me]

*

 

[Niner]

No article or video up on their news site yet, but I did see the news at Noon. Saw a shot of the adoptive grandmother wearing a big black face mask that looked linty. So, things are proceeding towards a trial.​

Local News from FOX 5 San Diego

Local news about people and events in San Diego County and Southern California

fox5sandiego.com

Sorry - but I did not see anything on this case on the link you provided - or did I miss it?

 

[Niner]

Here's an article I found.

Grand jury indicts Spring Valley family in child abuse death

Unsealed grand jury testimony reveals new disturbing details involving the death of an adopted 11-year-old girl in Spring Valley.

www.nbcsandiego.com

The unsealed indictment reveals evidence and testimony on disturbing child torture details and missed opportunities by San Diego County to intervene.

Feb. 26, 2025
The criminal case is moving forward for three family members accused of murdering an adopted girl in August 2022 and torturing her sisters. A judge could pick a trial date as early as next month.
[.....]
A panel of jurors heard evidence over the course of eight days last October. Those proceedings are only coming to light now after prosecutors unsealed testimony transcripts.

The indictment says the crimes the McCormacks and Toms are accused of were laid out in numerous text messages between one another and through video recordings they made on their phones. Prosecutors say the adults coordinated the abuse, egging each other on to inflict more pain and suffering on the girls.
[.....]
Deputy District Attorney Meredith Pro told grand jurors, “Suffice it to say these three young children were subjected to a life of horror, of torment, of abuse, and neglect.”



Well - I take that back - nothing about there hearing yesterday....

 

[Niner]

an email I received:

District Attorney Case Notification <[email protected]>

10:46 AM (36 minutes ago)

THE FOLLOWING CASE HAS BEEN CLOSED:
The case "CE414848" is no longer an active case.


no link.


Article on what happened - I am guessing they will have a NEW case # after this current indictment. @Curious Me - going to have to rely on you to help me get the new case # & next court date.

Grand jury indicts adoptive mother, grandparents in death of Spring Valley girl

Aarabella McCormack, 11, was emaciated when she died in 2022. Her adoptive mother and grandparents are charged with murder

www.sandiegouniontribune.com

Feb. 26, 2025
Aarabella McCormack tried to run away from her family’s Spring Valley home. Her little sister told a grand jury they both wanted out.
[....]
After hearing testimony from several witnesses in the prosecution’s case, that grand jury handed up an indictment charging the child’s adoptive mother and adoptive grandparents with murder and a special circumstances allegation of torture. That allegation makes the punishment either life in prison without parole or execution.

Leticia McCormack and her parents, Stanley and Adella Tom, had already been charged with murder for the girl’s 2022 death but not the special circumstance allegation. They were slated to have a preliminary hearing in El Cajon on Wednesday, but that hearing was supplanted by the grand jury indictment the prosecutors secured last fall. Wednesday’s hearing was to set a future court date for further proceedings.

They have pleaded not guilty.
[.....]
The grand jury indictment lays out 641 overt acts by McCormack, her parents or her husband, Brian McCormack, that prosecutors said were committed in furtherance of an alleged conspiracy, including routinely depriving the sisters of food, water and bathroom trips. Some of the allegations arise from text messages to each other.
[.....]
Aside from the criminal case, a civil suit has been filed on behalf of Aarabella’s sisters, alleging that several agencies, organizations and workers failed to report possible abuse. The suit says the surviving sisters suffered from a syndrome that presents after prolonged starvation and had to be gradually renourished.

 

[Curious Me]

...Article on what happened - I am guessing they will have a NEW case # after this current indictment. @Curious Me - going to have to rely on you to help me get the new case # & next court date. ...

THE FOLLOWING CASE HAS BEEN CLOSED:
The case "CE414848" is no longer an active case.

What?!! I was signed up for their notifications, so I got an this email, too, but only confused me. Thank You @Niner for explaining it and finding that news article. Yes, I am very much determined to follow this to trial(s). I did see a quick statement made by the bio mother's attorney retained for the civil suit.

Grand jury indicts adoptive mother, grandparents in death of Spring Valley girl

Aarabella McCormack, 11, was emaciated when she died in 2022. Her adoptive mother and grandparents are charged with murder

www.sandiegouniontribune.com

​

"The grand jury indictment lays out 641 overt acts by McCormack, her parents or her husband,..."

Aside from the criminal case, a civil suit has been filed on behalf of Aarabella’s sisters, alleging that several agencies, organizations and workers failed to report possible abuse. The suit says the surviving sisters suffered from a syndrome that presents after prolonged starvation and had to be gradually renourished.​

 

[Niner]

@Curious Me - now I am thinking we won't get a notice in email - since the case # is going to be different. Can you access the court site & see if there is anything new - like a new case # for them?
TIA!

 

[Curious Me]

@Curious Me - now I am thinking we won't get a notice in email - since the case # is going to be different. Can you access the court site & see if there is anything new - like a new case # for them?
TIA!

I didn't think it'd be up already, but it was up. Here's what I got from the court site. I requested to be emailed again, and @Niner you probably will be able to do the same now.

March 17,2025 is the next proceedings for all three.​

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

 

[Niner]

I didn't think it'd be up already, but it was up. Here's what I got from the court site. I requested to be emailed again, and @Niner you probably will be able to do the same now.

March 17,2025 is the next proceedings for all three.​

View attachment 567112
_____________________________________________

View attachment 567113_____________________________________________

View attachment 567114

Thanks! Is that their new case # - SCD299768?

 

[Curious Me]

Thanks! Is that their new case # - SCD299768?

Yes, that's the new case number showing up as of last night for all three. March 17,2025 is the next proceedings for all three. The other case number started with a CE, but this one starts with a SCD, so I'm not sure what that denotes. Superior Court and Dept.?

Case Information, Search - San Diego County District Attorney

It's not like I know what I'm doing. Haven't figured out where to find the civil suit yet. If you press "Calendar" you get a list of the civil suit scheduled proceedings.

Criminal | Superior Court of California - County of San Diego

www.sdcourt.ca.gov

Most of us know how it goes from following so many cases and trials. I ran across this, and just in general, I like this Flow Chart.

​

 

[Curious Me]

Grand jury indicts adoptive mother, grandparents in death of Spring Valley girl

Aarabella McCormack, 11, was emaciated when she died in 2022. Her adoptive mother and grandparents are charged with murder

www.sandiegouniontribune.com

Grand jury indicts adoptive mother, grandparents in death of 11-year-old California girl

Aarabella McCormack tried to run away from her family’s Spring Valley home. Her little sister told a grand jury they both wanted out.

www.mercurynews.com

Testimony from the multi-day hearing included first-hand accounts from Aarabella’s two younger sisters and several others, including her first-grade teacher, doctors who treated the sisters and first responders who encountered the family the day the girl died.​

Updated: 6:34 PM PST February 27, 2025

Grand jury indicts adoptive family in torture, death of 11-year-old Spring Valley girl

Adoptive mother and grandparents face life in prison without parole for alleged abuse of Aarabella McCormack, who died in 2022.

www.cbs8.com

The indictment includes graphic details of Aarabella McCormack's alleged torture and death. Leticia McCormack and her parents, Stanley and Adella Tom, now face life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted. They are charged with more than 640 overt acts in a conspiracy to torture, starve, and eventually murder the child.


Watch the Video. Finally found it. This is the news report I saw on the local news the other day. Shane Harris, the attorney in I believe the civil case, is standing next to Aarabella's bio mother. ​

https://fox5sandiego.com/video/adoptive-mother-and-grandparents-accused-in-foster-child-neglect/10495902/

 

[Curious Me]

Posting this as a reminder that there is a wrongful death suit against the county. The below news article is about the civil suit filed back in 2023 by the biological mother.​

Published March 8, 2023 • Updated on March 8, 2023 at 5:14 pm

Claim Filed Against San Diego County in Wake of Girl's Child Abuse Death

Eleven-year-old Aarabella McCormack died in the hospital last August. Prosecutors say she was severely malnourished, weighing just 48 pounds at the time. They also say her body was covered in bruises and doctors found 15 still-healing bone fractures.

www.nbcsandiego.com

A San Diego mother filed a $10 million wrongful death claim against the county last month, saying Child Welfare Services failed her 11-year-old biological daughter, Aarabella McCormack, who died in the hospital last August.
​

Florey said social workers didn’t properly vet the McCormacks, didn’t properly investigate suspected abuse reports and didn’t ensure Aarabella was receiving proper medical care.​

“The county needs to be held responsible for the death of my daughter,” Florey told NBC 7. “I’m not going to let it go. And I’m not going to stand down for my daughter. My daughter is going to have a voice.”
​

 

[Niner]

Monday, March 17th:
*Further Proceedings Hearing for all (@ 8:45am 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.
Additionally charged (2/26/25) with special circumstances allegation of torture. Plead not guilty (2/26/25). 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).
Additionally charged (2/26/25) with special circumstances allegation of torture. Plead not guilty (2/26/25). 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.
Additionally charged (2/26/25) with special circumstances allegation of torture. Plead not guilty (2/26/25). San Diego
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.
Defense attorney for Letitica: Tressa Huber. Adeille: Jay Curatolo. Stanley: Shervin Samimi.
Case & Court info from 8/30/22 thru 3/11/24 reference post #180 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...y-adoptive-caregivers-san-diego.644196/page-9
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.
2/26/25 Update: The Grand jury handed up an indictment charging the child’s adoptive mother & adoptive grandparents with murder & a special circumstances allegation of torture. That allegation makes the punishment either life in prison without parole or execution. Leticia McCormack and her parents, Stanley & Adella Tom, had already been charged with murder for the girl’s 2022 death but not the special circumstance allegation. They were slated to have a preliminary hearing in El Cajon on Wednesday, but that hearing was supplanted by the grand jury indictment the prosecutors secured last fall. Wednesday’s hearing was to set a future court date for further proceedings. The grand jury indictment lays out 641 overt acts by McCormack, her parents or her husband, Brian McCormack, that prosecutors said were committed in furtherance of an alleged conspiracy, including routinely depriving the sisters of food, water & bathroom trips. Some of the allegations arise from text messages to each other. Next for all further proceedings hearing on 3/17/25 @ 8:45am.

 

[Niner]

I am not finding any articles - but only the utube one -

Prosecutors could seek death penalty in case of torture and murder of 11-year-old Arabella McCormack​

 

[imstilla.grandma]

"I don't understand why the grandmother and grandfather were allowed to communicate. They sat right next to each other, no lawyers, no nobody and the bailiffs just let them have a conversation,"

Prosecutors discuss seeking death penalty for adopted mother and grandparents of 11-year-old Arabella McCormack

Adoptive mother Leticia McCormack and her parents, Adella and Stanley Tom, are charged with more than 600 counts in the torture and murder of the child.

www.cbs8.com

 

[Curious Me]

The news person asked the Deputy DA if there was any talk of a Plea Deal. She couldn't answer to those type of questions at this time. MOO, no way there should be a plea deal. It's not like they'll give anything in return for a lighter sentence to save themselves from the death penalty. Plea deals are often overused, and in this case there's no reason for one. There's no missing body their defense can use for leverage. Personally, I live around here and I have a feeling they won't go for the DP.

I could be wrong about the DP. Very soon after Aarabella died, the adoptive father killed himself right in front of police officers rather than face questioning or interrogation, so that tells us he knew what they were doing to those children was torture.​

Prosecutors discuss seeking death penalty for adopted mother and grandparents of 11-year-old Arabella McCormack

Adoptive mother Leticia McCormack and her parents, Adella and Stanley Tom, are charged with more than 600 counts in the torture and murder of the child.

www.cbs8.com

"We believe the murder was perpetrated during a torturous event, which means we can seek life without the possibility of parole or potentially the death penalty," said Deputy District Attorney Meredith Pro. She said the DA's office has not yet decided whether to pursue the death penalty.​

 

[Curious Me]

Family of Border Patrol agent who killed himself charged in 11-year-old girl's death

According to sheriff's deputies, when first responders arrived at the Spring Valley home, they discovered an 11-year-old girl needing immediate medical attention.

www.cbs8.com

During the San Diego Sheriff's investigation into Aarabella's death, they contacted her adoptive father, Brian McCormack, who was a U.S. Customs & Border Protection Agent.

Brian McCormack killed himself in the presence of deputies when they tried to question him, Sheriffs said.
​

___________________________________________________________________________

THREE FAMILY MEMBERS ARRESTED FOR SUSPECTED ABUSE LEADING TO DEATH OF SPRING VALLEY GIRL, 11 | East County Magazine

www.eastcountymagazine.org

The child’s adoptive father, Brian McCormack, shot and killed himself in the presence of deputies investigating the case. A family member and a neighbor told NBC 7 that Brian McCormack was a Border Patrol agent. He was also an ordained elder at Rock Church, according to the Roy Report, which found a Google search cache indicating that he also served as ministry leadership program coordinator at the Rock School of Ministry.​

 

[Amika69]

The news person asked the Deputy DA if there was any talk of a Plea Deal. She couldn't answer to those type of questions at this time. MOO, no way there should be a plea deal. It's not like they'll give anything in return for a lighter sentence to save themselves from the death penalty. Plea deals are often overused, and in this case there's no reason for one. There's no missing body their defense can use for leverage. Personally, I live around here and I have a feeling they won't go for the DP.

I could be wrong about the DP. Very soon after Aarabella died, the adoptive father killed himself right in front of police officers rather than face questioning or interrogation, so that tells us he knew what they were doing to those children was torture.​

Prosecutors discuss seeking death penalty for adopted mother and grandparents of 11-year-old Arabella McCormack

Adoptive mother Leticia McCormack and her parents, Adella and Stanley Tom, are charged with more than 600 counts in the torture and murder of the child.

www.cbs8.com

"We believe the murder was perpetrated during a torturous event, which means we can seek life without the possibility of parole or potentially the death penalty," said Deputy District Attorney Meredith Pro. She said the DA's office has not yet decided whether to pursue the death penalty.​

I also am in the San Diego region. There is no reason for a plea.

 

[Niner]

@Curious Me - any news on next hearing date? Trial dates? TIA!