Skeletal Remains Found In Attic Drywall Where 3 Kids Were Removed

PHOENIX, AZ — Maricopa County prosecutors on Wednesday accused a Phoenix couple of hiding the dead body of a child in the drywall of their attic to stop child-welfare workers from asking questions about the reported abuse of a child living in the home.

Maribel Loera, 50, and her husband, Rafael Loera, 56, are both charged with child abuse, and Rafael Loera faces additional charges of arson and concealment of a dead body/parts. The discovery of the skeletal remains Tuesday in the attic of the home on the 5800 block of Wolf Street is being investigated as a homicide, authorities have said.

Phoenix firefighters were dispatched to investigate smoke coming from the Loera home about an hour after the Arizona Department of Child Services took two children living in the home, a 4-year-old girl and 9-year-old boy, into protective custody.

Child-welfare workers were following up on an earlier investigation that resulted in the removal of an 11 year-old girl from the home on Jan. 20 after she called 911 to report she been left at home alone and was hungry.

When firefighters arrived at the house Tuesday, Rafael Lorea, 56, reportedly said there was no need for them to come inside because the fire had started in the fireplace and was under control.

“Firefighters knew that was obviously not the case," Phoenix Fire Captain Rob McDade told NBC News. "We ignored his pleas and made entry.”

An arson dog detected the odor of gasoline on the walls, and firefighters discovered the skeletal remains while examining the attic for hot spots from the fire.

Phoenix police homicide detectives, the Phoenix Fire Investigations Task Force and the Department of Child Safety are continuing their investigation. The Maricopa County medical examiner's office is working to figure out the cause of death and to identify the remains.