Along with her parents, an ordained elder of a California megachurch was detained in relation to the death of her 11-year-old adoptive daughter.
Following the passing of Arabella McCormack, Leticia McCormack, 49, was arrested on Monday and is now facing charges of murder, three counts of torture, and three counts of willful cruelty to a child, according to a news release from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
Stanley Tom, the 75-year-old father of Leticia McCormack, was detained on the same accusations. Adella Tom, her mother, was only accused of torturing a child and intentionally harming another person.
Deputies were called to a Spring Valley house on August 30 due to a report of a distressed youngster, and that is when authorities started their investigation. After being found at the house, Arabella was taken to the hospital, where she passed away.
The young girl displayed “indications of suspected child abuse,” according to detectives. She “looked to be very undernourished,” according to a representative for the sheriff.
How the youngster died was not disclosed by the medical examiner.
Brian McCormack, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent, killed himself in front of deputies after his daughter Arabella died on August 30. This was reported by the sheriff’s office.
Arabella and her two younger sisters reportedly moved home with the McCormacks in 2017. According to deputies, the couple adopted all three girls.
After Arabella’s passing, the other kids were sent into foster care, according to the news release.
At the evangelical megachurch The Rock Church in San Diego, Leticia McCormack held the office of elder. She assisted with numerous missionary chores as a volunteer and wasn’t employed, a church official said on Thursday. The spokeswoman stated that volunteers “do not have any leadership or other responsibility” and are not in charge of church administration or operations.
Her church ordination was put on hold and then revoked.
“As a result of the Sheriff’s Department inquiry, we have been informed that Leticia and her parents have been detained. We are still in deep sorrow for Arabella and her sisters. We deeply regret that their family and friends must go through such a terrible loss and suffering “stated the church. “We anticipate that justice will be served for Arabella and her sisters as the court process progresses. We ask that God’s mercy and grace offer solace and restoration.”
The lawyer for McCormack declined to comment on the situation. Her parents’ attorneys were not immediately available for comment.
