An 8-year-old girl was found dead in a Bakersfield hotel room over the weekend, and authorities have charged her father and stepmother with her death, triggering a wave of public grief, anger, and calls for accountability.
Genesis Ariah Mata was discovered Saturday in the bathtub of a room at the La Quinta Inn on Easton Drive. According to police, her father, 31-year-old Ray Mata Jr., and his partner, 27-year-old Graciela Bustamonte, face charges of first-degree murder, torture, and willful cruelty to a child.
Investigators reportedly believe Genesis had endured long-term abuse before her death, and one responding officer described her injuries as extensive.
According to police interviews, both adults admitted to harmful behavior but attempted to shift blame onto each other. Ray reportedly told authorities that Genesis died Friday evening, nearly 24 hours before 911 was called…