: While the couple initially blamed each other, Mata reportedly admitted to punching the child in the abdomen until she lost consciousness. The Video Interviews: Remorse vs. Denial
: The case sparked protests against Kern County Child Protective Services (CPS). Family members claim multiple reports of abuse were made long before Genesis’s death, alleging that Bustamante and Mata would hide the children or make them wear masks to conceal injuries from social workers. Video - Flaquita Araceli Bustamante E-19936
: Public sentiment became so heated that when fellow inmate Anita Doron assaulted Bustamante in jail for her alleged lack of remorse, Doron’s commissary account was flooded with donations from the community. : While the couple initially blamed each other,
: Court documents allege Genesis was tortured for days before her death. This included being whipped with cords until skin was gone, having her hands repeatedly slammed in doors, and being scalded with boiling water prepared in a microwave—an act Bustamante allegedly admitted was her idea to make the child "listen". Family members claim multiple reports of abuse were
A central part of this story is a series of jailhouse interviews by 23ABC where Bustamante attempts to frame herself as a victim.
: In these videos, Bustamante claims she was not present when the final fatal injuries occurred and describes herself as a victim of years of manipulation and abuse by Ray Mata.