A 2-year-old girl known as "Litzy" died on December 29, 2022, in Moroni, Sanpete County, Utah, as a result of child abuse by her mother, Anyi Nicol Canales Cruz (22), and her stepfather, Juan Castillo (51). Both parents admitted to physically abusing the child previously and recently. At the hospital, an x-ray revealed previously broken ribs that were healed or healing, a large amount of recent bruising over her body, and other injuries. A large amount of both children's and adults' medication was found at the home, and the couple admitted to regularly giving medication to the girl, with Cruz giving enough that the child "quickly fell asleep." Authorities believe both the physical abuse and the large amounts of medication may have contributed to the child's death. Both caregivers were charged with child abuse homicide and aggravated child abuse.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Document 1 (ABC4) states: "The couple told police that they regularly gave medication to the girl, and that Cruz gave enough medication to the girl 'that she quickly fell asleep.'" It further states: "Authorities believe that 'large amounts of medication' may have contributed to the death of the girl." Document 2 (KSL) corroborates: "The mother allegedly admitted to frequently giving her daughter medication, and police believe large amounts of medication may have contributed to the death." Both children's and adults' medication was found around the body.
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
Document 1 (ABC4) states that Cruz "reportedly stated that she and her husband had 'previously and recently' physically abused her daughter." Castillo "reportedly stated that he had previously and recently struck the girl." Document 2 (KSL) confirms: "Both parents admitted to hitting the child." The child also had previously broken ribs and extensive bruising consistent with inflicted injury.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Document 1 (ABC4) states an x-ray showed the girl "previously had broken ribs that were 'healed or healing.'" These broken ribs were only discovered via x-ray at the hospital after the child's death, strongly implying the caregivers did not seek medical attention for those injuries when they originally occurred. Given both parents admitted to prior physical abuse, it is implied that the child's broken ribs went medically untreated.
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
The evidence suggests a pattern of intentional cruelty over an extended period. Document 1 (ABC4) notes previously broken ribs that were "healed or healing" (indicating past abuse) alongside a "large amount of bruising" that "had occurred recently." Cruz admitted she and her husband had "previously and recently" physically abused her daughter. The couple also admitted to regularly administering medication to the child—enough to make her "quickly fall asleep"—which suggests sustained, deliberate sedation of the child beyond typical physical abuse. The combination of chronic physical abuse over time (evidenced by healed fractures) and routine medicating of the toddler indicates a prolonged pattern of cruel treatment.
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Document 1 (ABC4) identifies Anyi Cruz as "the mother of the child" and states she "reportedly stated that she and her husband had 'previously and recently' physically abused her daughter." Document 2 (KSL) confirms: "The mother allegedly admitted to frequently giving her daughter medication." Cruz is the child's biological mother and was directly involved in the abuse and medication administration that contributed to the death.
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Document 1 (ABC4) identifies Juan Castillo as "the step-father and acting father of the child" who "reportedly stated that he had previously and recently struck the girl." Document 2 (KSL) refers to Castillo as the "stepfather." As a stepfather, he qualifies as a male paramour/friend involved in the death.
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
Document 1 (ABC4) states: "Juan Castillo, 51, and Anyi Cruz, 22, were both charged with child abuse homicide (first-degree felony) and aggravated child abuse (third-degree felony) on Thursday, Dec. 29." Both were "booked into the Sanpete County Jail." Document 2 (KSL) confirms they were "charged with child abuse homicide."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Document 1 (ABC4) states: "at the time Castillo was arrested, deputies found a small plastic big in one of his front pockets, with a 'white substance' that appeared to be an illegal controlled substance." This directly indicates substance use by a caregiver.
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