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Mother starved 4-year-old child who weighed 18 pounds, police say

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A Santa Ana mother has been charged with starving her 4-year-old daughter who weighed just 18 pounds, police said Thursday.

Antonia Benitez has eight other children ranging in age from 4 years old to 16 years old, the Santa Ana Police Department said.

The case began on June 3 after the 35-year-old mother allegedly dropped off the 4-year-old daughter at a local hospital and fled. The child was suffering from malnutrition and open wounds, according to police.

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Officers went to Benitez’s home and discovered the other children. All of the children have been turned over to social service officials.

Benitez was being held in lieu of $250,000 bail and was charged by the Orange County district attorney’s office with three counts of felony child abuse, police said.

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Twitter: @LAJourno

robert.lopez@latimes.com

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