Kern County Child Protective Services and the Department of Human Services failed to protect 8-year-old Genesis Mata, resulting in her death, according to allegations made in a claim filed against Kern County on December 11 on behalf of Destiny De La Cruz.
“Child Protective Services failed to meet their mandatory duties to keep tabs on Genesis and protect her from abuse,” attorney Hoyt E. Hart II said. Hart is representing De La Cruz, the biological mother of Genesis Mata.
Bakersfield police officers found Genesis dead inside a bathtub in a room at La Quinta Inn on August 2. Police arrested Genesis’ father Ray Mata Jr. and his girlfriend, Graciela Bustamante. The couple are charged with multiple serious felonies, including first-degree murder, torture, and multiple counts of child abuse and cruelty. Both have pleaded not guilty to all charges…