By Gia Vang
EUGENE, Ore. -- A 15-year-old Eugene girl is dead Thursday, and the key suspects are her mother and stepfather.
The Lane County Sheriff's Department, State Police and the District Attorney's office are investigating the alleged murder of Janette Maples. Maples was pronounced dead at a local hospital Wedensday.
Officers arrested Maples' mother, 41-year-old Angela McAnulty and her stepfather 40-year-old Richard McAnulty early Thursday morning. Both are now lodged at the Lane County Jail on preliminary charges of aggravated murder.
Captain Bill Thompson of the Lane County Sheriff's Department, said first responders were called to the scene around 8 p.m. Wednesday for a medical emergency because Maples wasn't breathing.
Thompson said the responders had probable cause to get law enforcement invovled. He said Maples they have not released her cause of death because they are waiting for a medical examination.
"There were some injuries that were obvious, there maybe some that are not so obvious," Thompson said.
Thompson said they believe the teen was home-schooled.
Court documents revealed the McAnulty's both intentionally maimed and tortured Maples at their home on Howard Avenue, off River Road.
Meanhwile, neighbors said they are shocked.
"I've lived in this neighborhood for 30 years and I've never ever come across something like that before," David Witbeck said.
Officials said a 12-year-old girl and a 5-year-old boy also lived in the home. They said both are now in the Department of Health Services' custody.
Comments
my sweet angel, you will be
my sweet angel, you will be missed.you are with the angels now and at peace.
We love you.
Aunt Laurie, Uncle Herchel, Jonathan and Anthony
Child Abuse
As a mother of 4 daughters ranging from 6 to 22 years old, this story is heartbreaking. There are people out there getting PAID to look out for abused children. What happened? Why didn't someone hear her cries? It was painfully obvious to her friends at school. As adults we are unspoken protectors of our children, all children. Just like animals they need an advocate, someone to believe them and believe in them, someone to speak for them when they are too weak, too tired to fight because they were beaten down, too scared they will be killed. This child will never get married or have children, go to college, or become a famous poet. She suffered the worst kind of death-emotionally and physically. The most upsetting part of this story is the fact that this child was a year old when the reports of abuse started, back in 1995!! She was taken from her home in 1995--for 5 1/2 years. Why did she have to go back to her horrible parents???? She suffered for so many years, starved, beaten, humiliated. There is a special place in heaven for her now and a special place in Hell waiting for her parents. Rest in peace baby girl.