A couple from Stanislaus County is in custody in connection with the alleged abuse and torture of an 11-year-old girl, authorities announced on March 16.
Arrests and Charges
36-year-old Anthony Machuca and 37-year-old Priscilla Mestaz have been arrested and charged with 27 felony and misdemeanor counts related to the alleged mistreatment of the young victim. The charges include torture, conspiracy to commit torture, child endangerment, and assault with a deadly weapon, among others.
The Victim’s Allegations
The abuse was reported to authorities in January 2026, when the 11-year-old girl approached deputies and stated that she refused to go home because her aunt, Priscilla Mestaz, had been allegedly abusing her. Investigators later confirmed that the victim had been in the custody of Mestaz and her partner Machuca since 2024.
Abuse Details and Investigation
The investigation revealed that the abuse allegedly occurred between January 2025 and January 2026. Authorities obtained surveillance footage during a search warrant execution, which corroborated the victim’s disclosures.
Investigators learned that the girl had been forced to live in an unheated garage and the backyard, which had not been converted into a proper living space, leaving her exposed to unsafe temperatures year-round.
Further allegations state that the victim was strangled, punched, and slapped by the couple. She was reportedly dragged on a dog leash, withheld food, causing malnutrition, and forced to exercise to the point of exhaustion.
Arrests and Protective Custody
Machuca was arrested earlier this year when officers initially made contact with the couple at their residence. Mestaz was pregnant at the time and was arrested on March 12, after giving birth. The newborn child and a 4-year-old were placed into protective custody.
Mestaz’s Role in Child Services
Interestingly, Priscilla Mestaz had worked as a child and family services case manager with a local organization, which added a disturbing layer to the case.
Bail and Ongoing Investigation
Both Machuca and Mestaz are currently in jail on $1 million bail. The investigation is still ongoing, and additional charges may be filed as new details emerge.
