4 relatives charged in Phoenix girl's death

PHOENIX – Authorities say four relatives of a 10-year-old Phoenix girl found suffocated in a foot locker after months of alleged abuse are facing multiple felony charges in her death.

Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery said Wednesday a Maricopa County grand jury indicted the child's cousins, John and Samantha Allen, both 23, on first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit child abuse and multiple child abuse counts in Ame Deal's death.

The girl's grandmother, 62-year-old Judith Deal, and the child's aunt, 44-year-old Cynthia Stoltzmann, each are charged with multiple child abuse counts.

The Allens are in custody on a $1 million cash bond. Stoltzmann and Judith Deal are being held on a $500,000 cash bond. All four are scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 17.

Sheriff's officials say the group is declining to speak with the media, and a call to the public defender's office wasn't immediately returned.