The trial date for the family of a boy from Arizona has starved to death

FLAGSTAFF, Arizona (AP) – A trial date has been set for the parents and grandmother of a 6-year-old Flagstaff boy who died after being locked in a closet and refused to eat.

Elizabeth Archibeque and Anthony Martinez, the boy’s parents, and Ann Martinez, his grandmother, have pleaded not guilty of murder, kidnapping and first degree child abuse.

Anthony Martinez is also charged with two serious assaults.

The defendants are due to be tried in August 2022. Coconino County Supreme Court Justice Ted Reed set the date during a hearing on the Friday case.

Michael Tunink will pursue the case after Governor Doug Ducey appoints Assistant District Attorney Stacy Krueger to fill a legal position in the court.

A medical examiner found that Deshaun Martinez died of starvation in March last year and weighed just 8.1 kilograms – well below the average for his age.

His parents initially attributed their son’s malnutrition to an illness and the use of diet or caffeine pills. Finally, they told the police that they kept Deshaun and his older brother in a closet for 16 hours a day and gave them little to eat.

Police said the boys’ detention was a punishment for stealing food while their parents slept.

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