Sonia Marquez, 52, pleaded not guilty Friday to multiple felony counts after allegedly locking two young girls in a dog cage as punishment.
The Los Angeles woman was arrested Wednesday in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood following a daring escape by the children, ages 9 and 11, who told police their stepmother had been periodically forcing them into the cage since at least February. An adult who was not identified by police took the terrified girls into their home and contacted authorities; the children were reportedly afraid to return to the residence.
The Los Angeles Fire Department transported both girls to a hospital for treatment before they were placed in the custody of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. Investigators noted there was “severe neglect in her care,” police said.
Marquez entered her plea while facing two counts of torture and two counts of child abuse likely to cause injury related to the stepchildren. She is being held on $2.75 million bail at the Century Regional Detention Facility, according to jail records.
A fifth felony child-abuse count adds another layer to the case. Prosecutor Jonathan Hatami identified the additional victim as Marquez’s 12-year-old biological daughter, according to the allegation sheet. Unlike the charges involving the younger girls, Hatami said this count does not allege that Marquez inflicted bodily injury.
The exact duration of each alleged caging remains unclear, and police did not specify whether the adult who aided the escape was related to the children. There are no outstanding suspects, and the investigation remains ongoing.
The case emerged from the girls’ own actions in breaking free from the alleged confinement and seeking help. Their decision to flee rather than return home underscores the fear they experienced, according to the reported accounts they gave to investigators.
The Lincoln Heights neighborhood, where the arrest occurred, sits northeast of downtown Los Angeles. The Century Regional Detention Facility, where Marquez is currently housed, is located in Lynwood and serves as the primary jail for women in Los Angeles County.
Marquez’s next court proceedings have not been publicly scheduled.