Aunt, Boyfriend Accused of Torturing Child

Priscilla Mestaz, a family services caseworker, and her boyfriend, Anthony Machuca, are facing 27 felony and misdemeanor charges for allegedly torturing an 11-year-old girl under their care. The accusations include torture, conspiracy to commit torture, child endangerment, and assault with a deadly weapon.

The investigation began on January 31, 2026, after the victim reported ongoing abuse. She stated that Mestaz, her aunt and case manager, and Machuca had subjected her to severe physical abuse between January 2025 and January 2026. This abuse allegedly included strangulation, punching, slapping, and being forced to wear a dog leash.

Authorities discovered surveillance cameras at the residence that corroborated the victim's statements. The girl had reportedly been forced to live in an uninsulated garage, exposed to unsafe temperatures. She was also malnourished and subjected to strenuous physical exercises under threat of assault.

Mestaz was arrested on March 12, 2026, after giving birth. Machuca was arrested earlier. Two other children in the home, including Mestaz's newborn baby, were placed in protective custody. Both defendants are held on $1 million bail and are scheduled for arraignment on March 26, 2026.