A Peoria, Arizona couple is facing child abuse charges after authorities say a nine-year-old girl was subjected to extreme punishment, including four hours on a second-story balcony in 104-degree heat without food or water. Police say the punishment stemmed from something as small as how she held a book. The girl eventually jumped from the balcony and was found hiding under a neighbor’s patio bench.
Jennifer and Jose Carrillo were arrested September 17th, each charged with two counts of child abuse, with Jennifer also facing unlawful imprisonment. Prosecutors describe prolonged mistreatment of both the nine-year-old and her twelve-year-old sister, including beatings, withheld food and water, and a shoelace tied to a door to prevent the younger girl from drinking water at night. When she reached the hospital, she weighed just 43.5 pounds and showed signs of severe malnourishment.
Both girls were removed from the home in June 2025 and remain in DCS custody. They are now with a foster family, have gained significant weight, and have recently reunited with their biological mother. Jennifer Carrillo’s attorney says she was doing her best caring for children with special needs placed with the couple by the Department of Child Safety, though police say the girls have no developmental delays.
If you suspect a child is being harmed, Florida’s abuse hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-96-ABUSE. What do you think needs to change so cases like this get caught sooner?
