Ariz. man, woman sentenced for abusing, waterboarding, and setting girl on fire

PHOENIX (TCD) -- A judge sentenced a 40-year-old man and 27-year-old woman to 20 years in prison for physically and sexually abusing and torturing a young girl.

The Maricopa County District Attorney’s Office announced Aug. 29 that Chloe Rae Sergent and Keola Cachero Wimbish must also have 10 years of supervised probation following their 20-year prison sentence. Sergent previously pleaded guilty to one count of child abuse and one count of attempt to commit child abuse, while Wimbish pleaded guilty to one count of child abuse and two counts of attempt to commit child abuse.

Wimbish and Sergent were in a relationship at the time of their arrest in April 2022, and they lived together with two children.

The statement described the abuse as "significant and included physical attacks, withholding of food, failure to seek medical care for injuries, and evidence that one of the defendants lit the young victim on fire."

Court records show Sergent and Wimbish initially faced over 10 counts each of child-abuse related charges.

According to Arizona Republic, the victim, who is reportedly Sergent’s daughter, said Sergent and Wimbish hit her with a machete and crowbar, punched her, and even put her head underwater to waterboard her. Another time, they reportedly doused the girl’s body in alcohol and set her aflame, as well as made her take drugs through a straw.

Arizona Republic reports Wimbish made the victim touch him sexually.

She was taken to Phoenix Children’s Hospital and doctors learned she had 12 broken bones, a cut on her leg exposing a bone, burns, and other injuries all over her body. She reportedly first told police her uncle abused her but then later admitted the abuse stemmed from Wimbish and Sergent, who told her to lie.

Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in the sentencing announcement, "The abuse this child suffered at the hands of the people who were supposed to love and care for her is horrific. I’m particularly grateful to this young victim who was willing to bravely tell her story. Thanks to the intervention of a caring relative, thorough investigation by police, and hard work by MCAO prosecutors, justice was done."

MORE:

• Two Defendants Sentenced in Child Abuse and Neglect Case - Maricopa County District Attorney's Office
• Two sentenced to 20 years for 'horrific' abuse of 10-year-old in Glendale - Arizona Republic
• Maricopa County court records
• Arizona couple accused of waterboarding and sexually abusing daughter, 4/8/2022 - TCD