By admin 
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A mother accused of killing and abusing one of her children will spend 32 years in prison after accepting a plea deal earlier this week.
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Maribel Loera pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and other charges in the 2020 death of her 13-year-old daughter, Ana.
The case began on Jan. 20, 2020, when Phoenix police officers went to a home near 59th Avenue and Camelback Road to check on the welfare of an 11-year-old girl who called 911 saying she was home alone.
Officers found evidence of child abuse, and the Arizona Department of Child Services (DCS) took the girl into its care. She was the only child at the home that day.
As the investigation continued, two other children were removed from the home on Jan. 28 as part of a DCS investigation. Later that day, firefighters responded to a report of smoke coming from the house.
Firefighters entered the home and found the skeletal remains of Ana in the attic.
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It’s not clear when Ana died but investigators say she was last seen alive in 2016.
Phoenix fire investigators believe the fire was set intentionally.
Maribel Loera’s husband and the children’s father, Rafael Loera, faces similar charges. His case is ongoing.
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