Cadence Langley She was just 14 when someone shot her in the back of the head in rural Safford, Arizona, in October 2020 and dumped her body in a livestock watering hole.

late last month, her mother Amber LangleyA 38-year-old man has been arrested on fraud charges for allegedly continuing to collect government assistance benefits for his daughter for nearly two years after the death of an autistic girl. These profits add up to about $4,700, according to the company. Gila Herald.

When Cadence’s body was first discovered by quail hunters on October 26, 2020, investigators had no idea who she was. The girl was found at the ranch, wrapped in a tarp, placed in a 4-by-2-foot trough, partially submerged, with a collection of toys placed near her body.

A forensic pathologist identified the victim. Artesia Doe The Graham County Sheriff, who was named after a nearby town and was murdered between the ages of 14 and 22 PJ All Red said in December 2020. Eastern Arizona Courier.

“Somebody had to take the cover off, put her in it, and put the cover back on,” Allred told the paper, describing the float box.

A caricature was created “based on the girl’s measurements and other information” by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in partnership with the Graham County Sheriff’s Office. Herald report. Girl’s NCMEC page It was deleted.

For years, investigators had little luck. No persons matching Cadence Langley’s description have been reported missing in the Gila Valley region of Grand Canyon State. Then law enforcement broadened its horizons. They eventually turned to DNA testing.

“We get it” allred said When officially classifying a case as a homicide. “We’ll keep working on this problem until it’s fixed. Someone wrapped it in something and put it where they put it.”

according to HeraldGCSO Sergeant Mark Smith Testifying at Amber Langleys preliminary hearing Regarding the fraud charges earlier this week. He reportedly used DNA testing of the family to identify the girl’s mother as a suspect in the murder, said Smith. After working with the FBI, investigators determined that the deceased was Amber Langley’s child and found that the defendant was still receiving the girl’s government benefits, according to the report.

The defense attorneys are adamant that the state is way ahead of them, accusing Amber Langley of being subject to a $500,000 bond for theft and fraud, according to a local newspaper. rice field.

Counsel Dennis McCarthy Raised constitutional issues regarding the actual indictment in court and the presentation the state made to the court before the Peace District 1 judge Gary Griffith.

Full record of court proceedings by John Johnson McCarthy states the argument raised on behalf of the client:

We are filing lawsuits in this court every week involving fraudulent schemes and tricks and money taken and bonds not $500,000 in cash or paper. This violates the excess (inaudible) of the 8th Amendment to the United States Constitution. My client’s rights have been taken away by their excessive bondage. If the state has a case, file . You have to get a security deposit at. But they don’t. In my estimation, in a $5,000 lawsuit, it would be inappropriate for the court to consider Mr. Bennett’s claims.

“This is a fraud scheme in front of you,” the defense counsel reminded the judge.

Graham County Attorney L. Scott BennettHowever, the girl’s mother responded that she could expect “more serious charges”.

[images: Ambert Langely via Graham County Sheriff’s Office; Cadence Langley likeness sketch via NCMEC]