She Took A Plea To Avoid The Death Penalty: Their Adopted Child’s Remains Were Hidden

Their Adopted Child’s Remains Were Hidden. She Took A Plea To Avoid The Death Penalty.

On January 28, 2020, firefighters responded to a house fire near 59th Avenue and Camelback Road in Phoenix, Arizona. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered human skeletal remains inside the home.

The victim was identified as Anna Loera.

Anna was an adopted child and was estimated to be between 10 and 12 years old when she died.

Investigators later learned Anna had not been seen for years. Her adoptive father, Rafael Loera, initially claimed she had moved to Mexico before admitting she had died.

Rafael told investigators Anna became seriously ill in 2017 and that he and his wife, Maribel Loera, waited several days before seeking medical treatment. He said Anna died while he was taking her to a hospital.

Rather than report her death, Rafael said Anna’s body was wrapped in a sheet and hidden in the attic because they feared authorities would remove the other children from their custody.

A postmortem examination later determined Anna died from child abuse, including acute and chronic skeletal injuries and neglect. Her death was ruled a homicide.

Her remains showed possible recent fractures to her skull and jaw, along with healing or healed fractures involving her clavicle, ribs, vertebrae, hands, pelvis and long bones.

The investigation into Anna’s disappearance began after one of her younger siblings called 911 on January 20, 2020, after being left home alone for two days and becoming hungry.

The child told officers she had been physically abused, including being struck with knotted extension cords and having her head slammed into walls. She was removed from the home.

On January 28, 2020, child welfare workers returned and removed two additional children. Less than an hour later, a fire was reported at the residence.

During the response, firefighters discovered Anna’s skeletal remains in the attic area.

Rafael later admitted siphoning gasoline from his vehicle and setting the house on fire in an attempt to kill himself.

On March 31, 2021, Maribel and Rafael were charged with first-degree murder in Anna’s death. They also faced charges related to concealing her remains, child abuse and the fire. Prosecutors later announced they would seek the death penalty.

On September 22, 2026, 57-year-old Maribel pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, abandonment or concealment of a dead body and nine counts of child abuse as part of an agreement that removed the death penalty from consideration.

Under the plea agreement, Maribel is expected to receive 22 years for Anna’s murder and another 10 years for four child abuse counts, for a total of 32 years in prison. She would then serve lifetime supervised probation on the remaining five child abuse counts.

Maribel will receive credit for nearly seven years already spent in jail.

Two surviving children addressed the court during the plea hearing and described lasting physical and emotional scars from the abuse. One son said Maribel once attacked him with a knife and told the judge she should only be released when he could speak to his deceased sister again.

Maribel’s formal sentencing is scheduled for October 16, 2026.

Rafael has not entered a plea agreement and is scheduled for trial on March 8, 2027.