Phoenix couple is accused of concealing dead body for years

PHOENIX — A Phoenix couple accused of abusing three adopted children who have been removed from their custody allegedly concealed the dead body of another foster child in an attic for over two years, prosecutors said Monday.

The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office filed a direct complaint charging both Rafael Loera, 56, and Maribel Loera, 50, with child abuse, abandonment or concealment of a dead body and arson of an occupied structure. Skeletal remains were found Jan. 28 at the house by firefighters after smoke was seen coming from the family’s home and the bones were later determined to be from a juvenile.

Hours before the fire, investigators from the Arizona Department of Child Safety had removed a 9-year-old boy and 4-yearold girl from the home over child abuse allegations.

Child welfare authorities began an investigation Jan. 20 when an 11-year-old girl called police to report she was home alone for two days and was hungry and scared. The girl was removed from the home, but no other children were there at the time.

In court documents released Monday, county prosecutors said Rafael Loera, who was asked by investigators last month about an 11-year-old foster girl in the couple’s care who had not been seen or heard from since 2017, said he falsely told authorities that the girl moved to Mexico before admitting that she was dead.

He said the child got sick in July 2017 but was not taken to a hospital for several days and later died, according to the compliant.

Rafael Loera said he and his wife didn’t report the death because a forensic autopsy would likely show abuse injuries on the child.