Ariz. woman allegedly killed daughter and put body in trash 5 days later
12/28/2023 5:00 pm PST
PHOENIX (TCD) -- A 38-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of murder and other charges after her daughter was found dead inside a trash can on Christmas Eve.
According to Arizona Republic, on Sunday, Dec. 24, at 8 p.m., Phoenix Police Department officers went to 31st Avenue and Thomas Road after someone reported finding a body in a trash can. When they arrived, officers discovered a deceased juvenile female between 5 and 7 years old inside a plastic tote.
One day after the girl's body was found, one of Sophia Simmons' friends reportedly called police and said Simmons allegedly told the caller she beat her daughter and it "went too far." Simmons reportedly said she left her house after the beating, and when she returned, her daughter was not responsive. Simmons purportedly left the girl's body in the trash can five days after she died.
KTVK-TV, which cites court documents, reports the little girl had both new and healing injuries on her body.
Phoenix Police reportedly surveilled Simmons' home and allegedly found evidence that someone tried altering the suspected crime scene. KTVK reports some of Simmons' furniture was outside and there was water all over the home. A search warrant of Simmons' phone reportedly showed she was driving back to Arizona from California. Data from the phone also allegedly indicated she was near the same dumpster where her daughter was found.
Maricopa County records show Simmons is being charged with first-degree murder, child abuse, and abandonment/concealment of a dead body.
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