WPRO Newsroom and the Associated Press
PAWTUCKET, R.I. (AP) – Pawtucket police say a 10-year-old girl was severely abused before she died last week.
Authorities say Aleida DePina was bitten, beaten and slashed on her back. She also appeared to be malnourished. Details of the girl's injuries were revealed in court documents obtained Monday by The Providence Journal.
Aleida died July 3 at Miriam Hospital from blunt force trauma to her small intestine. Her father, 32-year-old Jorge DePina, is charged with murder, child abuse and neglect or cruelty to a child in his daughter's death.
Police say they believe the girl's injuries were consistent with severe physical abuse over an extended period of time. Doctors also found bruises on her hips, thighs, buttocks and stomach.
Jorge DePina is being held without bail pending a court hearing on July 19.
