by Chinwe Okafor
Melinda Lynn Muniz, 25, allegedly suffocated her fiancé’s two-year-old daughter to death and then staged a break-in to deflect suspicion.
According to USA Today:
Grace Lillian Ford, 2, was found unconscious in a crib, her mouth covered with duct tape, according to an arrest affidavit. Muniz was found on the floor of another room with her mouth taped shut and her pants pulled down.Muniz told police that an unknown male had sexually assaulted her, the affidavit states. But investigators said her story had holes: Information about her activities the day of the crime were inconsistent with her story, and medical tests failed to corroborate her claim of a sexual assault.“What was reported to us that had taken place, there was not any way that could have happened,” Plano police spokesman David Tilley said.
However, during the investigation, detectives found surveillance video of Muniz buying duct tape, zip ties, kitchen shears, and cotton swabs just hours before police were called to the apartment.
“She took the child with her to purchase the items that she was going to use during the commission of the crime — clearly premeditated.” David Tilley, Plano Police Department.
Earlier on the 9th, Muniz allegedly fought with her boyfriend, Mitch Ford, after he found racy photos and text that she sent to a personal trainer. Ford subsequently broke up with Muniz before leaving for work.
Leave a reply