A couple in California has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of torture and child abuse after police uncovered horrific allegations involving an 11-year-old girl in their care. The suspects, identified as Priscilla Mestaz, 37, and Anthony Machuca, 36, are accused of subjecting the child to a year-long ordeal that included physical violence, confinement in an unfinished garage, and being dragged on a dog lead.
Discovery and Arrests
Police in Salida, California, responded to reports on January 31, 2026, of a child who refused to return home and claimed physical abuse by her aunt. Upon searching the residence, authorities discovered security camera footage that allegedly corroborated the girl's accounts of abuse. The couple informed investigators that the 11-year-old had been under their supervision since the summer of 2024.
Machuca was arrested immediately, while Mestaz was not initially detained due to her advanced pregnancy. She was taken into custody on March 12, 2026, after giving birth, according to the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office. Both individuals are now being held on a $1,000,000 bail each.
Charges and Allegations
On March 16, 2026, prosecutors filed a criminal complaint against Mestaz and Machuca, levelling 27 felony and misdemeanour counts. These charges include torture, conspiracy to commit torture, multiple counts of child endangerment under circumstances likely to cause great bodily injury or death, inflicting injury upon a child, assault with a deadly weapon, assault likely to produce great bodily injury, and criminal threats.
The abuse is alleged to have occurred between January 2025 and January 2026. Police detailed a harrowing list of abuses inflicted upon the girl, which extended beyond physical violence to include severe neglect and psychological torment.
Specific Acts of Abuse
- Physical Violence: The couple allegedly punched, strangled, and slapped the child repeatedly.
- Confinement: The girl was forced to sleep in an unfinished garage without bedding or heating during winter months, exposing her to unsafe temperatures year-round.
- Degradation: She was dragged using a dog lead, subjected to verbal abuse, and made to perform strenuous physical exercises until exhaustion.
- Neglect: Authorities claim the couple withheld adequate nutrition, leading to malnourishment.
Investigators noted that the garage lacked insulation, heating, or air conditioning, rendering it uninhabitable. The child was primarily found staying in the garden and this garage area, which police described as leaving her vulnerable to extreme weather conditions.
Background and Aftermath
During the investigation, police discovered that Priscilla Mestaz had served as a child and family services case manager with a local organisation, adding a layer of irony to the case given her professional background in child welfare.
Following the arrests, a newborn baby and a four-year-old child present at the home were taken into protective custody by local authorities to ensure their safety. The case has drawn significant attention due to the severity of the allegations and the positions of trust involved.
This incident underscores ongoing concerns about child protection systems and the need for vigilance in reporting suspected abuse. The legal proceedings against Mestaz and Machuca are expected to proceed as evidence is reviewed and further details emerge from the investigation.
