A Peoria couple accused of abusing and neglecting their two daughters were arrested Sept. 17 following an extensive investigation that began last year, according to authorities.
Jennifer Harrison Carrillo, 50, and Jose Antonio Carrillo Ayala, 49, face multiple counts of child abuse, which is a Class 2 felony, the Peoria Police Department announced in a Sept. 21 press release.
Their children — a 9-year-old girl and her 12-year-old sister — reportedly suffered from prolonged mistreatment, police said. The girls’ health has improved since they were removed from the family’s Peoria apartment over a year ago.
On June 14, 2025, officers were called to an apartment complex near 83rd Avenue and Paradise Lane for a welfare check after a neighbor reported
finding the youngest daughter hiding on his ground-floor patio, according to police.
The girl had multiple injuries and was taken to Phoenix Children’s Hospital, police said. Medical staff reported that she had suffered from prolonged malnutrition, neglect, physical abuse and restraint, according to the department.
While investigating the matter, police learned of the girl’s older sister. A medical examination of the 12-year-old showed that she also suffered from prolonged mistreatment, police said.
Arizona Department of Child Safety was called to remove the girls from the home, according to authorities.
After conducting interviews and reviewing medical and school records, the extensive investigation revealed a litany of alleged abuses against the girls, Peoria police highlighted.
“Investigators developed probable cause indicating the children had allegedly been deprived of adequate food and water, restricted from using the restroom, forced to remain seated for extended periods, physically restrained and struck as forms of punishment,” police stated in the release.
This month, Ayala, the children’s biological father, and Carrillo, the girls’ stepmother, were both arrested on suspicion of two counts of child abuse, police said. Carrillo also faces one count of unlawful imprisonment, which is a Class 6 felony.
Both were booked into Maricopa County jail, according to police.
Based on medical records, Peoria police reported that the girls’ health and physical development significantly improved. Between June 2025 and this past March, the 9-year-old gained about 27 pounds. Her sister similarly gained about 40 pounds from June 2025 to June 2026, according to police.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Peoria couple arrested after girls suffered prolonged abuse
