Left inset: Kebrina Hussain. Right inset: Ezekiel Hussain (Maricopa County Sheriff's Office). Background: The administrative building for the Goodyear Police Department, which arrested Kebrina Hussain and Ezekiel Hussain (Google Maps).
An Arizona couple used a "metal, pointer-like" object to torture and "repeatedly injure" an 8-year-old girl in their care on the bottom of her foot, while also denying her meals and abusing another child, cops say.
Kebrina Hussain, 30, and Ezekiel Hussain, 29, were arrested Tuesday and charged in Maricopa County with child abuse following an investigation by the Goodyear Police Department, according to a GPD press release and arrest affidavits obtained by Law&Crime.
The couple is accused of abusing an 8-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy.
The investigation began in early August after school staff noticed that the 8-year-old girl had experienced "significant weight loss" and was "extremely thin," according to police. Facial bruising and a lip injury were also reported, with medical personnel later documenting "malnutrition, severe thinness, significant weight loss, bruising and injuries to the bottom of the child's foot," per the GPD release.
"A subsequent medical evaluation found no medical explanation for the malnutrition," the release says. "After receiving adequate nutrition, the child gained significant weight, further supporting concerns of nutritional neglect."
The girl allegedly described being "denied regular meals, punched and slapped, and having the bottom of the foot repeatedly injured with a metal object," according to police.
She accused Kebrina and Ezekiel Hussain of "forcing a metal object into the foot of the victim, causing significant patterned injury to the bottom of the victim's foot," according to the arrest affidavits.
"Ezekiel repeatedly stabbed the bottom of her foot with a metal, pointer-like object until it bled after crumbs attracted ants in the apartment," the affidavits say.
According to police, the couple allegedly held the 7-year-old boy's hand "to the hot stove top, causing pain and bruising." They also put "chilies" on the 8-year-old's buttocks and then hit her with a belt "to make it hurt more," the affidavit says.
Investigators searched the family's home, reviewed previous law enforcement contacts involving child welfare concerns, interviewed witnesses and coordinated forensic interviews and medical evaluations that later led to the Hussains being charged.
"Based on the evidence collected, detectives established probable cause to believe both suspects committed child abuse involving the two children," the GPD release says. "The allegations include nutritional neglect and physical abuse."
Kebrina Hussain and Ezekiel Hussain are being held on $25,000 bond each.
"This case underscores the importance of reporting concerns about a child's safety," Goodyear Police Sgt. Mayra Reeson said in a statement. "School personnel's decision to speak up brought these concerns to law enforcement's attention and initiated an extensive investigation."