A 52-year-old woman was arrested in Lincoln Heights after two young girls reportedly escaped their apartment and told authorities they had been confined inside a dog cage as punishment.
Los Angeles police said officers responded Wednesday to the 3000 block of North Main Street after receiving a report involving two girls, ages 9 and 11. The children had reportedly left the apartment and told an adult nearby that they were afraid to go back home.
The adult who contacted 911 brought the girls inside and remained with them until authorities arrived.
According to police, the children told investigators that their stepmother had been using a dog cage as a form of punishment. Detectives believe the alleged treatment may have been occurring for several months, with the girls reportedly being placed inside the cage on and off since at least February.
The Los Angeles Fire Department transported both children to a hospital following the incident. The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services later took custody of the girls.
Police identified the woman arrested in connection with the investigation as Sonia Marquez, 52. Officers located her later Wednesday night and arrested her on suspicion of child abuse-related offenses.
Marquez remained in custody as of Friday evening, according to police.
Investigators have not publicly detailed how long the girls were allegedly kept inside the cage during individual incidents. It also has not been established publicly whether the adult who called 911 knew the children or had any prior connection to the family.
The case remains under investigation as authorities work to determine the circumstances surrounding the allegations and the reported treatment of the children.
No further details about the children’s identities have been released.
