Adoptive mother and grandparents charged in death of 11-year-old girl

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department said they have arrested three people in connection to the death of an 11-year-old in August.

On Aug. 30, sheriff’s deputies responded to a call about a child in distress at a Spring Valley home, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune. The 11-year-old was taken to a nearby hospital, where she died. The girl’s two younger sisters were removed from the same home, according to KNSD.

The 11-year-old’s adoptive mother, Leticia McCormack, 49, and her parents, Adella Tom, 70, and Stanley Tom, 75, were arrested on Monday following a months-long investigation into the girl’s death.

According to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, McCormack and Stanley Tom have each been charged with murder, three counts of torture and three counts of willful cruelty to a child.

McCormack’s mother, Adella Tom, was charged with three counts of torture and three counts of willful cruelty to a child.

During the investigation into the girl’s death, the husband of Leticia McCormack, Brian, took his own life after deputies contacted him near the family’s home, officials said.

According to KNSD, Leticia McCormack had been an ordained elder at Rock Church, a megachurch founded by former NFL player Miles McPherson. The church no longer has a relationship with her.

“The Rock no longer has any official relationship with Leticia. Her ordination at Rock Church was previously suspended and is in the process of being revoked,” the megachurch said in a statement.

The adoptive mother and her parents plead not guilty to the charges on Wednesday, according to The Union-Tribune.

The 11-year-old’s younger sisters are now in foster care, deputies said.

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