Za'NAYA FLORES (HIGGINS) - 1 yo/ Accused: Kiyana Higgins - Tucson AZ

Tucson Police are investigating the death of a one-year-old girl. Police say the child was found unresponsive this morning and showed signs of possible child abuse.

She was transported to a local trauma center, but pronounced dead.

Sergeant Matt Rondstadt with Tucson Police says that a three-year-old sibling also showed physical signs of possible abuse. That child is in the hospital in serious condition.

Three more siblings were also removed from the house and are in CPS temporary custody while the investigation continues.

Earlier this evening police arrested the children's biological mother, 23-year-old Kiyana Higgins on two counts of child abuse.

An autopsy will be conducted to formally determine the cause of the child's death.

Tucson Police say additional charges may be filed against Higgins as the investigation continues.

http://www.kold.com/story/16511745/police-investigate-child-death

23 years old and she has FIVE children! When are these babies going to quit having babies. They don't have the means or patience to raise them and abuse them. It's a vicious cycle!

Now that she has murdered one of her punching bags and lost the others to state care, her welfare and food stamps will be cut off.

I hope the one in the hospital recovers from the brutality and that she never sees any of these babies ever again.

Two new arrests made in child abuse case


Updated: Jan 20, 2012 3:59 AM

TUCSON - The Tucson Police Department makes two new arrests in the child abuse death of a baby girl. They arrested Kiyana Higgins a week ago. One day after her infant daughter, Za'Naya died and her 3-year old son was hospitalized.

The death prompted Child Protective Services to take custody of Higgins' three other children. Thursday night, Tucson Police made two more arrests.

The accused killer's mother and sister were picked up for not reporting the alleged abuse.

According to Tucson Police, the women knew about the abuse and did nothing about it.

A new report gives disturbing insight into what Za'Naya went through.

Tucson police arrested her grandmother, 52-year-old Clara Huyghue and her aunt, 25-year-old Keshawna Higgins.

Tucson police say both women ignored the abuse suffered by Za'Naya and her 3-year-old brother.

They believe the aunt, Keshawna, also physically abused them.

In a detailed report posted online, by the Department of Economic Security we learn that on March 15, 2010 Kiyana Higgins was in jail on felony child abuse charges when she gave birth to Za'Naya.

Sometime after her birth, CPS received a report alleging abuse or neglect of the baby.

On the morning of January 12, 2012 Za'Naya's mom called 911, saying she was having a seizure. She died at the hospital.

The Department of Economic Security says Za'Naya had multiple injuries including bruises, burn marks, scratches, bite marks, and scars.

Authorities were also concerned about her weight.

Za'Naya's 3 year old brother has been released from the hospital and is in CPS care like the other siblings.

For perspective, a former TPD detective tells News-4 that right now in Tucson there are at least 50 kids being abused in silence, like Za'Naya.

These arrests are a stark reminder that it's a crime if you fail to report child abuse.

If you suspect child abuse call 1-888-SOS-CHILD.

http://www.kvoa.com/news/two-new-arrests-made-in-child-abuse-case/

Za'Naya Higgins is the name of the poor little murdered baby girl.

Murdered One Year Old's Grandmother Wants Custody of Remaining Grandchildren

Posted: Jan 18, 2012 6:21 PM

TUCSON - Kiyana Higgins, a Tucson woman accused of killing her one-year-old girl, was scheduled back in court Wednesday afternoon for a previous charge of driving while intoxicated with two of her children
in the car.

Monica Lopez and her sister Naomi Flores grieve the loss of baby Za'Naya.
The 21-month-old died January 12 at her home allegedly at the hands of her own mother.
"Our family is shocked that all this is happening," said Za'naya's paternal great aunt Naomi Flores.
The Flores family lives in Phoenix.

Za'naya's paternal grandmother Monica Lopez said the last time she saw the baby was in August.
"And after that she (the mother) shut me down and wouldn't return my calls," said Lopez.
Before then, Monica said she saw the children often and never saw anything suspicious.
"I've never seen actual abuse myself," said Lopez.
The last documented case before Za'Naya's death was in 2009.

Court documents show Higgins was arrested for child abuse and also put on probation for two counts of child endangerment.
She allegedly drove intoxicated with two of her five children in her car.
With the children's father in jail, Monica said she will fight for custody of her son's children.
But until then, the children are in custody of child protective services.

CPS released a statement stating that when Za'Naya was born, they were informed that Higgins was charged in the past for child abuse but acquitted.
They said they are currently investigating Higgins' case with Tucson police.

To see CPS statement click here:

https://www.azdes.gov/uploadedFiles/Children_Youth_and_Families/Child_Protective_Services_%28CPS%29/Child_Fatalities/Za%27Naya_Flores_1_11_2012.pdf

CPS released a statement stating that when Za'Naya was born, they were
informed that Higgins was charged in the past for child abuse but
acquitted.

Wonder if they are related to the nitwit 12?

CPS needs to be investigated for this case....clearly they dropped the ball in this case and a beautiful baby has been beaten to death with bruises, burn marks, scratches, bite marks, and scars. The poor baby was tortured to death. This mother deserves the death penalty and the DCS needs to be overhauled immediately.

It's hard to believe things like this can happen.

Waiting for someone to come on and defend her.

Two more indicted for involvement in 1-year-old's death


Posted: Jan 25, 2012 2:17 PM

TUCSON - Three people have been indicted for their involvement in the death earlier this month of a one-year-old girl.

Kiyana Higgins, the mother of Zi'Naya Flores, has been indicted on two counts of Child Abuse and one count of Second-Degree Murder.

Keshawna Higgins, Zi'Naya's aunt, and Clara Huyghue, her grandmother, were also charged, according to court documents.

The second count of Child Abuse is for a second victim - Zi'Naya's three-year-old sibling. Court documents indicate that when Zi'Naya was taken to this hospital, doctors said her sibling also had signs of abuse and neglect. The documents state that the sibling "arrived at the hospital with internal injuries, bruising, and was malnourished. Doctor's [sic] stated that both children's condition were the result of neglect and abuse."

Zi'Naya was taken to the hospital after she was found unresponsive at her home, and later died after her arrival, court document state. She had "numerous bruises and scars on her body, and was emaciated. Cause
of death is pending an autopsy."

Za'naya's paternal grandmother Monica Lopez said the last time she saw the baby was in August.

"And after that she (the mother) shut me down and wouldn't return my calls," said Lopez.

Before then, Monica said she saw the children often and never saw anything suspicious.

"I've never seen actual abuse myself," said Lopez.

The last documented Child Protective Services case before Za'Naya's death was in 2009.

Court documents show Higgins was arrested for child abuse and also put on probation for two counts of child endangerment.

She allegedly drove intoxicated with two of her five children in her car.

With the children's father in jail, Monica said she will fight for custody of her son's children.

But until then, the children are in custody of child protective services.

CPS released a statement stating that when Za'Naya was born, they were informed that Higgins was charged in the past for child abuse but acquitted.

They said they are currently investigating Higgins' case with Tucson police.

http://www.kvoa.com/news/two-more-indicted-for-involvement-in-1-year-old-s-death/

Another name discrepancy. This article says she is Za'Naya Flores.

TUCSON - An autopsy report shows the extent of injuries suffered by one year old Za'Naya Flores prior to her death.

Za'Naya died January 12.

Her mother Kiyana Higgins faces two counts of child abuse causing death, and one count of 2nd degree murder.

Kiyana's mother and sister are also charged because investigators said they didn't stop the abuse.

The toddler had been taken to the hospital because she was reportedly
having a seizure at home but was pronounced dead soon after arrival to
the hospital.

The autopsy report describes her cause of death as malnutrition.

The toddler would have been two in March, but at the time of her death, she weighed only 14.6 pounds.

She had more than 20 scars on her body from her face to her thighs,
and she had several blunt force injuries to her head, neck, abdomen and
even her lower body.

The autopsy confirms that the manner of little Za'Naya's death was homicide.

Little Za'Naya also had several hemorrhages within her skull and bruises throughout her body.
http://www.kvoa.com/news/toddler-s-shocking-autopsy-report-released/

The death of 21-month-old Za’Naya Flores in January was due to malnutrition, the Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office has determined.

Za’Naya was taken to University of Arizona Medical Center on Jan. 12 after the Tucson Fire Department received a 911 call that she was having a seizure at her home in the 1800 block of South Kitt Place, near South Alvernon Way and East 29th Street, according to the Tucson Police Department.

She was pronounced dead at the hospital.

According to the autopsy report, Za’Naya weighed 14.6 pounds and her organs weighed below average for a child her age.

Search warrant documents said when Za’Naya was taken to the hospital she was emaciated and had non-existent blood sugar levels, an indication that she had not eaten a while.

Za’Naya also had several blunt force injuries on her head, neck, upper back, abdomen, and feet, according to the autopsy report.

Three of the girl’s relatives, including her mother 23-year-old Kiyana Higgins, have been charged with second-degree murder and child abuse in connection with her death.

Kiyana Higgins’ mother Clara Huyghue, 52, and sister Keshawna Higgins, 25, were also charged in Za’Naya’s case.

Kiyana Higgins was found not guilty in a 2009 child abuse case involving another daughter.

Kiyana Higgins’ four surviving children are in the custody of Child Protective Services.

The Arizona Daily Star requested Za’Naya’s CPS case file more than a month ago, but the agency has not provided the documents.


Read more: http://azstarnet.com/news/local/crime/medical-examiner-tucson-toddler-died-from-malnutrition/article_d7d02c66-5f3c-11e1-b5bb-001871e3ce6c.html#ixzz1nMLtIHHm

When I see a one year old baby I just want to hug and kiss them. They are so sweet and cuddly I just can't comprehend why people beat them to death.

twinkletoes wrote:When I see a one year old baby I just want to hug and kiss them. They are so sweet and cuddly I just can't comprehend why people beat them to death.

I know Twink. My grandson is 1 year old and such a sweetheart. I just can't imagine anyone harming him. I love and hug him day and night when I'm with him and I feel doubly blessed because he enjoys cuddling. I put him to bed and he gave me a hug and kiss and went right to sleep--so sweet. Then I stayed up with his 3 year old sister and we watched Beauty and the Beast for the 100th time. LOL. Then she said she was tired and ready for bed. I laid down with her until she fell asleep and sang her songs. I just love those kids so much and if anyone ever harmed them, I would do great bodily harm to them!

The attorneys for two women charged with child abuse in the death of a
21-month-old girl who starved to death have asked the judge to dismiss
the case. They allege prosecutors engaged in misconduct while presenting
the case to a Pima County grand jury.

Kiyana Higgins, 23, Keshawna Higgins, 25, and Clara
Huyghue, 53, were indicted in January on second-degree murder and child
abuse charges in the death of Kiyana Higgins' daughter, Za'Naya Flores.

Za'Naya weighed 14.6 pounds when she was rushed to the hospital after going into seizures and cardiac arrest on Jan. 12.

Pima County Superior Court Judge Deborah Bernini dropped
the murder charges against the defendants in mid-February at the request
of prosecutors, who stated they intend to seek a first-degree murder
indictment against the defendants instead.

Defense attorneys Jacob Amaru and Greg Kuykendall have
filed court documents indicating they believe the judge should dismiss
the entire case against Keshawna Higgins and Clara Huyghue. Keshawna
Higgins was Za'Naya's aunt; Huyghue was her grandmother.

Both attorneys believe prosecutor Susan Eazer misled
grand jurors by telling them all three adults "shared" responsibility
for Za'Naya, when, in fact, Huyghue worked long hours as a nurse and
rarely saw the Higgins children awake and Keshawna Higgins was at the
home only on a "limited basis."

The defense attorneys also complain the prosecutor
created a bias against their clients by telling grand jurors about
Kiyana Higgins' past dealings with CPS.

Because the grand jurors knew Kiyana Higgins had been
accused of abuse in the past, Kuykendall said the grand jurors likely
thought Huyghue must be a "bad person" for allowing her grandchildren to
remain in her daughter's care.

Kuykendall is also displeased Eazer showed grand jurors
pictures of Za'Naya when they'd already been given a description of her.
The only purpose to do so was to inflame them, he said.

Both defense attorneys believe Eazer and fellow
prosecutor Nicol Green gave faulty instructions to the grand jurors as to the law.

"The flaws in the grand jury proceedings rise to the
level of prosecutorial misconduct, not simply a denial of defendant's
right to a fair and impartial presentation of the evidence, and
therefore warrant dismissing the indictment with prejudice," Kuykendall said.

Eazer said there is no merit to the motions and a written
response will be filed this week. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Monday.

Kiyana Higgins' four surviving children are in CPS custody.
Both Higgins and Huyghue remain in custody at the Pima County jail.

The father of all five of Kiyana Higgins' children,
Francisco Jose Flores, was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison in
September 2010 after pleading guilty to aggravated domestic violence.

According to court records, Flores slashed Kiyanna
Higgins' arms with a folding knife on two separate occasions and choked
her with a television cable cord in front of their children on another occasion.

Read more: http://azstarnet.com/news/local/crime/attorneys-drop-case-of-girl-s-starvation/article_2654742c-e104-599e-98c9-43d551b8d465.html#ixzz1oLQ14FwE

Yeah, no one is to blame. The 14 pound baby should have fed herself.

Snipped from above article:

"Both attorneys believe prosecutor Susan Eazer misled
grand jurors by telling them all three adults "shared" responsibility
for Za'Naya, when, in fact, Huyghue worked long hours as a nurse and
rarely saw the Higgins children awake and Keshawna Higgins was at the home only on a "limited basis."

This is such bull. The grandmother was a NURSE for heavens sake. Even if she worked long hours, she saw those kids on the weekends or at various times. She and the other relative knew what was going on if they were living in that home. Maybe they chose to ignore it and that's what child neglect is. If you live in a home with kids that are harmed, then you have a responsibility to help take care of them. I hope the charges go through.

Child Protective Services has released its case records about Za’Naya
Flores, the 21-month old Tucson girl who died from malnutrition in January.

The heavily redacted records show Za’Naya was placed into
foster care immediately after her birth on March 15, 2010 while her
mother, Kiyana Higgins, was being held in Pima County jail awaiting a
child abuse trial involving one of her four other children.

Higgins was acquitted in May 2010, but Za’Naya remained
in foster care until April 2011. CPS closed Za’Naya’s case in September 2011.

Case notes about monthly visits lasting between 30
minutes and three hours with Za’Naya and later also with Higgins written
by state CPS specialist Donald Hauser give nearly identical accounts of
her health during the months she was in the care of CPS.

In a report dated July 20, 2010 Hauser reports that
Za’Naya “continues to spit up, the dr. stated that it is normal and not
to worry about it. She now weighs 13 pounds and 14 oz.”

The same information is documented in monthly reports
through March 28, 2011. Most of the case notes about visits were entered
weeks to months after the visit was made.

Court documents state that Za’Naya weighed 16 pounds and 11 ounces on Sept. 17, 2011

Notes from a May 17, 2011 visit said Za’Naya “is walking
and more mobile, as a result of being more mobile she has shot up in height and slimmed down.”

However, on Jan. 12, the day Za’Naya died, Higgins told CPS investigators that the child could not walk or talk.

Paramedics responded to Higgins’ home after receiving a
911 call that Za’Naya was having a seizure. She was taken to University
of Arizona Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.

Za’Naya weighed 14.6 pounds and had several blunt force
injuries on her head, upper back, abdomen and feet, according to an
autopsy report from the Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office
In a report, a CPS investigator who saw Za’Naya’s body at
the hospital, said she was emaciated and “appeared to be extremely
malnourished as evidence by the wrinkles on her body, the peeling of her
skin and her head appeared to be too large for her tiny frame.”

The investigator also noted that the girl had black dirt caked under
finger and toenails and “cemented on her shins and knees.”

The investigator visited Higgins’ home the day Za’Naya
died and reported the home smelled of urine and the floors were dirty.
The only food in the house were two cans of vegetables in the cupboards,
an empty gallon of milk and condiments in the refrigerator and two
small frozen food packages in the freezer, the investigator reported.

Kiyana Higgins, her sister Keshawna Higgins and their
mother Clara Huyghue were indicted on second-degree murder and child
abuse charges in January.

In mid-February, prosecutors asked Pima County Superior
Court Judge Deborah Bernini to drop the murder charges so they could
seek an indictment on first-degree murder charges instead.


Read more: http://azstarnet.com/news/local/crime/records-released-in-tucson-tot-s-starvation-death/article_d31117f6-67e5-11e1-9b94-0019bb2963f4.html#ixzz1oOkv7bVc

The defense attorneys also complain the prosecutor created a bias
against their clients by telling grand jurors about Kiyana Higgins' past
dealings with CPS.
Because the grand jurors knew Kiyana Higgins
had been accused of abuse in the past, Kuykendall said the grand jurors
likely thought Huyghue must be a "bad person" for allowing her
grandchildren to remain in her daughter's care.
Kuykendall is also
displeased Eazer showed grand jurors pictures of Za'Naya when they'd
already been given a description of her. The only purpose to do so was
to inflame them, he said.
Both defense attorneys believe Eazer and
fellow prosecutor Nicol Green gave faulty instructions to the grand
jurors as to the law.
"The flaws in the grand jury proceedings
rise to the level of prosecutorial misconduct, not simply a denial of
defendant's right to a fair and impartial presentation of the evidence,
and therefore warrant dismissing the indictment with prejudice,"
Kuykendall said.
Eazer said there is no merit to the motions and a
written response will be filed this week. A hearing on the matter is
scheduled for Monday.
Kiyana Higgins' four surviving children are in CPS custody.
Both Higgins and Huyghue remain in custody at the Pima County jail.
The
father of all five of Kiyana Higgins' children, Francisco Jose Flores,
was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison in September 2010 after pleading
guilty to aggravated domestic violence.
Snipped.
http://azstarnet.com/mobi/latest/article_2654742c-e104-599e-98c9-43d551b8d465.html

babyjustice wrote:Snipped from above article:

"Both attorneys believe prosecutor Susan Eazer misled
grand jurors by telling them all three adults "shared" responsibility
for Za'Naya, when, in fact, Huyghue worked long hours as a nurse and
rarely saw the Higgins children awake and Keshawna Higgins was at the home only on a "limited basis."

This is such bull. The grandmother was a NURSE for heavens sake. Even if she worked long hours, she saw those kids on the weekends or at various times. She and the other relative knew what was going on if they were living in that home. Maybe they chose to ignore it and that's what child neglect is. If you live in a home with kids that are harmed, then you have a responsibility to help take care of them. I hope the charges go through.

If the POS was only there long enough to sleep and shower she would have still seen the poor little starving baby.

These attorneys don't care about anything but getting their client off. The truth doesn't matter in a court of law, just whatever shenanigans can benefit the POS abusers and murderers.

Three women charged with child abuse in the death of a 21-month-old girl are now facing first-degree murder charges.

Kiyana Higgins, 23, Keshawna Higgins, 25, and Clara
Huyghue, 53, were initially indicted on second-degree murder and
child-abuse charges in the death of Kiyana Higgins' daughter, Za'Naya Flores.

However, the second-degree murder charge was dropped last
month at the request of prosecutors and the women were reindicted
Thursday on the first-degree murder charge, said Deputy Pima County
Attorney Frances Kreamer.

The child-abuse charges still stand.
Za'Naya weighed 14.6 pounds when she was rushed to the hospital after going into seizures and cardiac arrest Jan. 12
Kiyana Higgins has four surviving children who are in Child Protective Services custody.

The new charges come as defense attorneys have requested
that the case against Keshawna Higgins and Huyghue be dismissed,
alleging that prosecutors engaged in misconduct while presenting the
case to a Pima County grand jury.
Keshawna Higgins was Za'Naya's aunt; Huyghue was her grandmother.
The defense attorneys believe prosecutor Susan Eazer
misled grand jurors by telling them all three adults "shared"
responsibility for Za'Naya, when, in fact, Huyghue worked long hours as a
nurse and rarely saw the Higgins children awake and Keshawna Higgins
was at the home only on a "limited basis."

Eazer said there is no merit to the motions and a written
response will be filed this week. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Monday.

Read more: http://azstarnet.com/news/local/crime/murder-charges-upgraded-in-girl-s-death/article_c7879346-2dd3-5b2d-9ff0-2f12886f942a.html#ixzz1ojey2aQy

I have read several comments on this forum about the mother and family of this little girl and their guilt for abuse and neglect, but what about this caseworker, a cps investigator, who is just a guilty of neglect, this Donald Hauser, he should be brought up on charges as well. He could have prevented this little girls death, and had complete disregard for her living conditions, neglect, and the physical abuse inflicted upon her tiny, helpless infant body... The whole thing makes me sick. The taxpayers pay this mans salary, and he IS still employed by the State of Arizona. What is wrong with this picture..... disgusting!!!!