Amanda Cooper (Family Photo) |
HAWTHORNE ( KTLA) -- Relatives of a 10-year-old girl who died under suspicious circumstances over the weekend tell differing details about the life Amanda Cooper.
The girl and her immediate family were under active supervision of the Department of Children and Family Services, according to a source familiar with the case.
Now, some relatives have stepped forward to say they believed the girl was abused.
On Saturday, L.A. County Sheriff's deputies found Amanda Cooper unresponsive inside a home in the 4800 block of West 132nd Street about 7:20 a.m.
The girl was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Emergency room doctors said the girl's body showed evidence that she may have been sexually assaulted, said Sgt. Richard Pena of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
That possibility was also noted in the coroner’s report which listed the death as a homicide.
Family Members however, tell KTLA that Amanda was diagnosed with, leukodystrophy, a degenerative brain disease, and had only a short time to live.
An aunt, who wished to remain anonymous, says the family was stunned by allegations that Amanda may have been sexually abused.
"If there's anything, we want to know. That's why we want to be left alone because we want the police to do their job. Of course we're worried about that. Just the thought of it sickens me," the aunt told KTLA.
Coroner's office Lt. Cheryl MacWillie said the autopsy exam was performed mid-day Sunday, but no details have been released.
Detectives interviewed Amanda's stepfather at length, but no arrests have been made.
The girl and her immediate family were under active supervision of the Department of Children and Family Services, according to a source familiar with the case.
Now, some relatives have stepped forward to say they believed the girl was abused.
On Saturday, L.A. County Sheriff's deputies found Amanda Cooper unresponsive inside a home in the 4800 block of West 132nd Street about 7:20 a.m.
The girl was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Emergency room doctors said the girl's body showed evidence that she may have been sexually assaulted, said Sgt. Richard Pena of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
That possibility was also noted in the coroner’s report which listed the death as a homicide.
Family Members however, tell KTLA that Amanda was diagnosed with, leukodystrophy, a degenerative brain disease, and had only a short time to live.
An aunt, who wished to remain anonymous, says the family was stunned by allegations that Amanda may have been sexually abused.
"If there's anything, we want to know. That's why we want to be left alone because we want the police to do their job. Of course we're worried about that. Just the thought of it sickens me," the aunt told KTLA.
Coroner's office Lt. Cheryl MacWillie said the autopsy exam was performed mid-day Sunday, but no details have been released.
Detectives interviewed Amanda's stepfather at length, but no arrests have been made.
