BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — The woman arrested for allegedly torturing an 8-year-old who was found dead in a Bakersfield hotel, spoke with 23ABC from jail about the incident.
Graciela Bustamante agreed to an interview from jail with Senior Reporter Veronica Morley, Friday afternoon.
Bustamante is accused in the death of 8-year-old Genesis Mata back on August 2nd. Genesis was found dead at La Quinta Inn in Northwest Bakersfield.
During the interview Bustamante claims that she was not at the hotel when Genesis was killed. She also gave details of the alleged abuse she says she went through from Ray Mata Jr., Genesis's father.
"It wasn't towards her, anything, it started between me and him," said Bustamante when asked what happened the night Genesis died. "I just got my phone and I got my kid and I left (the hotel)," said Bustamante.
"He was always hitting them in their back for every little thing," said Bustamante about the kids after being asked about prior abuse.
Bustamante was also attacked in jail recently per the Kern County Sheriff's Office. We also talked to the inmate accused of the attack, which you can watch in the video below:
Bustamante and Ray Mata Jr. are being held on no bail, and both are scheduled to be back in court in October.
WATCH OUR STORIES ON THE CASE OF GENESIS MATA:
THOUSANDS SIGN PETITION DEMANDING INVESTIGATION INTO KERN COUNTY CPS AFTER CHILD'S DEATH:
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