Tempe, AZ - Tempe police are investigating after a 13-year-old girl was found unresponsive by her grandmother and later died at the hospital.

Police were originally called to the home of Virginia Lujan Tuesday evening, just before 9 p.m. Lujan called 9-1-1 and reported that her 13-year-old granddaughter, who was in her care, was not breathing. Life-saving efforts were made as the girl was rushed to the hospital.

Officers inside the home observed that the girl was covered in bruises and sores, all in various stages of healing. Due to the severity of the young girl’s condition and the initial observations, members of the Criminal Investigations Bureau were notified.

Lujan told investigators the child had fallen down the stairs two days prior, on Sunday night. She said she did not seek medical attention because she believed the girl would be fine. It was learned the girl had a cognitive delay and had the mental capacity of a 3-year-old.

The girl’s mother, Jami Hodges, said she was not aware of a fall. Hodges was temporarily staying with Lujan, who was caring for four of Hodges’ five children. Hodges admitted to not seeing her daughter regularly since staying at her mother’s home.

After hours of life-saving measures by hospital staff, the child was pronounced deceased early this morning.

Detectives conducted a search warrant of the home and found what appeared to be a makeshift “cage,” which was full of feces and had a foul odor.

Both Lujan and Hodges admitted that the girl was kept in this “cage” to keep control of her.

Lujan and Hodges were arrested on the following charges:

Virginia Lujan (55) – Child Abuse, a class 2 felony (In-custody)

Jami Hodges (33) – Child Abuse, a class 2 felony (booked and released pending charges)

This case is on-going and still actively being investigated. More charges could be pending as more evidence is discovered.