An Arizona woman was arrested for allegedly killing her young daughter and dumping her body in a dumpster on Christmas Eve.
KPHO reported that someone searching for firewood discovered Sophia Simmons’ daughter’s body in a dumpster behind a Phoenix business and called 911. Responding officers noted that the girl — who appeared to be between 5 and 7 — was inside a plastic tote and had injuries all over her body that were in various stages of healing.
On Monday, Simmons’ longtime friend in New York called Phoenix police and claimed Simmons admitted to beating her daughter and that it “went too far.” Simmons told her friend that she left the home and returned to find her daughter not breathing, according to KPHO.
The Arizona Republic reported that Simmons kept her daughter in a trash can in their home for five days before discarding her body in a dumpster four miles away.
Police said surveillance footage from Simmons’ townhome showed a garden hose going through the front door and her furniture outside. Officers reportedly noticed water all over the home and the couch cushions were missing. Simmons’ front door was open and a smoke alarm was going off, according to KTVK.
The news outlet also reported that police eventually tracked Simmons’ phone and learned it was traveling from California to Arizona. Phone records also showed her phone was in the vicinity of the dumpster on Christmas Eve, the same day her daughter’s body was discovered.
Simmons, who was apprehended in Tonopah, was charged with first-degree murder, child abuse, and tampering with evidence. According to KNXV, Simmons’ attorney disclosed in court that she was involved in a previous case regarding a child. Details about that investigation, which did not occur in Arizona, were not disclosed.
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[Featured image: Sophia Simmons/Phoenix Police Department]
