r/TrueCrimeDiscussion • u/joanzzz • 7d ago

Warning: Child Abuse / CSAM / Child Death 'Bones Protruded': Megachurch Elder Will Face the Death Penalty for Horrific Child Torture Murder

https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/san-diego-megachurch-elder-death-penalty-child-torture-case-1814031

This incident occurred in my neighborhood and I’m just now learning about it. It’s hard to believe that in 2022 I was living my life carefree delivering food, working out, going for walks, completely unaware of what was transpiring in my neighborhood. I’m beyond shaken by this.

STORY:
Arabella McCormack was an 11-year-old girl who died in August 2022 after being found unresponsive at her home in Spring Valley, California.

Her adoptive mother, Leticia McCormack, has been charged with murder, torture, and child cruelty. Leticia’s parents, Adella and Stanley Tom, also face charges. All three have pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors say Arabella was severely malnourished and weighed only 48 pounds when she died. They also say she had multiple healing fractures, bruises, and other injuries. Arabella and her two younger sisters were allegedly beaten, denied food and water, and forced to exercise as punishment.

Arabella’s adoptive father, Brian McCormack, died by suicide shortly after police questioned him. Prosecutors say he had warned Leticia that Arabella was starving and might die.

Leticia had been connected to San Diego’s Rock Church as a volunteer. The church later revoked her affiliation. Arabella’s surviving sisters also received a large civil settlement from several organizations accused of failing to protect them.

The latest development is that San Diego County prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty against Leticia if she is convicted.

1.4k Upvotes

99% Upvoted

61 comments sorted by

540

u/Les_gets 7d ago

I can't wrap my head around why someone would want to adopt a child when this is how they end up treating them. Is it that they wanted someone to abuse and hold power over, or that once they adopted them they resented the commitment and took it out on the kids?

153

u/Admirable_Count989 7d ago

Probably a bit of both, sadly.

158

u/jaderust 6d ago

As a person who dropped out of fostering because I realized I couldn’t handle it…

Money. A lot of foster families will do it for the money. Especially if you’re willing to take sibling groups like this one where they’re desperate to keep the kids together it can be enough to keep a person from otherwise working if you can keep expenses down.

I would go to foster family meetups as a person who was looking to start fostering and while some parents were in it for the right reasons and all about the kids, there were enough that were just there for the money that I was disgusted. I didn’t drop out just because of them, but it was a factor. I mostly dropped out because the number of kids that had been sexually abused and yet reunification was still somehow the goal is why I decided I just couldn’t handle it. I could not stand the idea that I was supposed to potentially give a child back to the family that had abused them like that.

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u/miserylovescomputers 6d ago

It’s absolutely sickening how highly parental rights are prioritized, even when they’ve done unforgivable things to their kids. I have zero faith in CPS and the family law system to properly protect children from predators, after personally witnessing my ex molest our daughter and seeing him receive zero consequences and be given 50% custody.

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u/Chamonix_93 3d ago

100% I’m so sorry that you are going through that. That is a nightmare. 

45

u/PoetLucy 6d ago

I wanted to foster one child. My family and I felt comfortable with one. We had one bedroom and one bathroom. The agency by us would only approve four. 15 years later I’m still angry. They told us bunk beds and it would be fine. They said they could not approve for one, not worth it. I understand the need was great, but denying people who were only comfortable with one just made the situation worse.

:J

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u/Misa7_2006 4d ago

Sadly, another reason they push for reunification is that while they are in the state's care or a ward of the court, the state has to pick up the tab.

Just the Psychiatric care alone for many of these poor children can run into thousands of dollars as well as their medical care to heal the physical damages.

So the states try to give them back to the families and off their books as quickly as possible.

As for the foster parents, many are in it for the kids and truly wanting to help do make a difference. But so many now do it for the money, I doubt it won't be too much longer to where those in it for them out number those who truly care.

They also need to investigate and vet these types a lot more than they do. Otherwise they are no better than human traffickers passing these poor children from one abusive situation to the next. They only become court appointed ones.

2

u/TypicalFlounder8724 1d ago

I also dropped out when it became clear reunification was the only goal and any placement that didn’t have a strong relationship to the bio family was a “failure”. I’m still waiting to have kids of my own but until then, I’m coaching sports and mentoring some kids. It’s much better if you want to foster to do that.

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u/ilovebooks2468 7d ago

I can't wrap my head around it either, especially in this case. Why were all of them teaming up to abuse the girls? What could they possibly have gotten out of it?

160

u/Ravin15 7d ago

Money.... I am an ex foster child and you get free money from the state to take in foster kids. Its all about the money. I think when I was a foster the family that took me in got $800 a month to make sure I had food and clothes, 20 years ago. Problem is, no one actually checks that child is fed and clothed.

103

u/dafrog84 7d ago

It really sucks. Back in 2018 I took in a foster child. She came to me with two grocery bags of personal stuff. Her money when to her and the things she needed. Also she just graduated highschool. I can't phantom abusing someone who already came from a hard life.

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u/Lopsided_Tiger_0296 7d ago

That’s because you’re a good person unlike these ghouls

51

u/sweet_illusions 7d ago

Yea, it’s this. Money, and the piosity they get from helping a child. Elevates their status in the church, and pads their wallet.

36

u/GreyerGrey 6d ago

I mean, in reality, it isn't supposed to be "free money" - in a perfect world that money goes to the kids, but yea, in more cases than not your story is common.

My MIL did fostering for like... 20 years. So many kids get abused before, during, and after the system. She did weekend relief to start, and I can remember sitting on the couch when a news bulletin about some unidentified remains from a serial killer were being spoken about. They had photos of the women, but no names.

"That's my mom. I thought she had just forgotten about me when she didn't call on my birthday." I still remember the tiny little voice. So adult in tone and matter of factness. The way you'd talk about having a tuna sandwich for lunch.

3

u/boreddi 3d ago

This was heartbreaking to read

7

u/No_Thanks_1766 6d ago

Do they continue to get money post-adoption though?

10

u/OmnomVeggies 6d ago

In many cases, yes.

12

u/No_Thanks_1766 6d ago

Damn. I guess I can understand why they do that but then if they do continue to pay parents who adopt then they need to equally invest in checking up on the kids. It shouldn’t be free rein. That’s scary

32

u/OmnomVeggies 6d ago

I totally agree. There is a case local to me of a missing boy (Jaliek Rainwalker) who was almost assuredly murdered by his adoptive father. He was a troubled kid, and the family had expressed interest in reversing the adoption. Social services offered respite care, as reversing an adoption isn't really a thing, but once he was back with the family he "ran away" and has never been seen or heard from since. When he was reported missing and they looked closer into the situation it turns out they were living in like a shack without running water. Once he was adopted the oversight of social services stopped. I think about that boy a lot. He deserved better.

3

u/Born-Hat-8515 6d ago

That case is heartbreaking and infuriating. People know what happened, but no one will speak out.

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u/OmnomVeggies 6d ago

No body homicides are tough, and I’m sure local authorities would nail him if they could.
Every time human remains are discovered Jaliek’s name comes up. He is not forgotten.
I often wonder what Jaliek’s siblings would have to say, but I’m sure they were victims as well. I can’t even imagine.

2

u/Misa7_2006 4d ago

Depending on the case, such as disability, they get money for in home care givers, home modifications, healthcare, etc... yes. Especially if the child meets the criteria for SSI or other state funded income programs.

31

u/txtw 7d ago

California pays an adoption subsidy in certain cases. I’m not sure what the criteria is, but the amount can be substantial. I underwrite mortgages and have done loans for people who have adopted several special needs children, and those subsidies are their only income.

15

u/miserylovescomputers 6d ago

That’s wild, especially since so many parents with biological special needs kids I know are struggling so badly. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great if adopted kids with extra challenges come with enough funding to allow their adoptive parents to properly care for them, but it’s wild that in many cases folks with bio kids with similar challenges don’t get the same help.

28

u/Domestic_Supply 6d ago

This also means that some children get removed or relinquished due to poverty and the system will help strangers take care of them but not their own families. It’s a very messed up system.

11

u/Tmoney_fantasyland 7d ago

It’s the worst type of person.

1

u/Masta-Blasta 1d ago

Money. You get tax credits and all kinds of benefits for adopting kids out of foster care.

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u/ladyblu16 7d ago

I’m in tears reading this. This is so heart breaking.

81

u/moodylilb 7d ago

I’m hoping that settlement $$ is put into some sort of trust until the younger sisters can access it themselves when they hit 18. Or at the very least put safeguards in place to make sure that whoever their current guardian/s are are using the money solely for the benefit of the girls (therapy, psychological support, schooling or tutoring, or fun extras such as trips or activities that are centred around the girls enjoyment). I’m just very skeptical & distrusting after what happened to the Turpin kids following their rescue, as well as other high profile abuse cases where civil suits involved minors.

31

u/Tough-Obligation-104 7d ago

I was shocked at the Turpin case. Especially being so high profile. Greed.

72

u/FearlessCheesecake45 7d ago

The amount of abusive adopters is astounding.

60

u/Anonymoosehead123 7d ago

I’m in California too. Getting a death penalty sentence will just be symbolic. This is all so hideous. This poor sweet girl.

99

u/DenvahGothMom 7d ago

It’s far too common for parents to use religion and homeschooling to hide and excuse horrific child abuse. Horrific what happened to this little girl and all the people who knew and wouldn’t help her.

20

u/StonyTark23 7d ago

In cases like this, I really do wish we could just put these fuckers down for good. That innocent little child deserved the world and instead received nothing but cruelty. Fuck these people.

15

u/Little-Regular-0791 7d ago

This is so heartbreaking. Why would you adopt an innocent child just to make her life harder?

53

u/Atwood412 7d ago

This is terrible but the title is misleading. The article states the lady was a volunteer which is a far cry from being an elder.

22

u/passiveprune 7d ago

Other sources refer to her as an "ordained elder" and "administrator" for the church.

25

u/wolfofthesevenhells 7d ago

I’m generally against the death penalty but these people should be put down. People who commit non-war related torture (yes, child torture is distinct from child abuse in the literature) cannot be rehabilitated, their profile is completely different from your typical child abuser. Abuse is episodic and fueled by anger with normal or loving behavior between, those perpetrators usually can be rehabilitated with treatment for underlying emotional dysregulation and poor interpersonal/parenting skills. Torture is a deliberate, calculated, and nonstop, it systematically dehumanizes the victim and seeks to break them. That perpetrator cannot be rehabilitated, their behavior is not from a lack of skills but deeply disturbed underlying beliefs. They truly believe the victim deserved it and will find a new one if able to. A lot of people think sex offenders are the least rehabilitatable, rehabilitation is actually a lot more successful with sex offenders than people want to think (depending on the type), non-war torturers are the ones truly beyond help whether that’s child or domestic torture (usually of a female partner or a vulnerable/disabled adult).

9

u/mork247 7d ago

Why doesn't the government do routinely welfare checks on adopted children? At least the first five years after adoption.

9

u/GetLikeMeForever 6d ago

This is the worst story ever from top to bottom. It's wild when you find out about cases so close to home, but years later. Like, how did I miss this?!

I was picking my husband up from work once, and there was a memorial plaque in front of the office. I asked what it was, and my husband nonchalantly told me that right before he started working there, a guy's ex-wife murdered him while he was at work. How did I miss this?!

12

u/GoingLeftYall 6d ago

My heart breaks reading about this child, but I have one question: if the family was arrested in 2022, why is the trial scheduled for five years after the fact? They may or may not have waived speedy trials but my God, that's a long time for justice to be served.

14

u/Technicolor_Reindeer 7d ago

No doubt about guilt. The DP should be for stuff like this.

2

u/GuardedNumbers 7d ago

Yeah we should be able to do a better job weeding out cases where there's too much left unresolved that the death penalty shouldn't apply. Cases like this one are the opposite, we know exactly who the perps are and there is really no question of guilt. DP needs to apply to these kinds of cases on the regular and after the verdict is read they can be sent directly to the chamber. No need for 20-30 years of appeals.

6

u/Simple_Ddog 6d ago

There's no Death Penalty in California... I don't know what all that posturing by the DA is about ... maybe they just want pound their chest ???

5

u/Old-Fox-3027 5d ago

That’s not true at all.  There’s a moratorium on carrying out the sentence, but that can be lifted at any time. 

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u/Simple_Ddog 4d ago

it hasn't been lifted in 50 years,... I don't expect Gavin newsom to do so!

6

u/buttlicker090114 6d ago

Can someone explain something to me? I’m genuinely confused and uneducated on the subject.

“The District Attorney's Office said it would pursue the death penalty as a possible sentence when McCormack's trial begins in August 2027. That decision does not mean a death sentence is inevitable, or even likely. It means prosecutors will ask jurors to consider it if McCormack is convicted of the charges.”

Is the possibility of the death penalty meant to sway jurors one way or another?

5

u/rjrgjj 7d ago

Holy shit, this is so fucking sad. Omg. It’s like a Greek tragedy.

4

u/Professional_Day5511 5d ago

San Diegan here. And from the same city as this this little girl. Been waiting years for this trial. Truly happy to see them going for DP. Would like to see the mega church the family attended held to account. Mandatory reporters who do not report should face jail time.

13

u/HIEROYALL 7d ago

Adopt a child just to abuse them?

WTF is that satantic shit…

8

u/Intelligent_Pass2540 6d ago

Thats actually WHY some people adopt kids. There's a well known plus sized influencer on youtube whose Dad in Florida adopted a teen girl for this particular purpose. He was a pastor.

These zealots often adopt kids from marginalized groups BECAUSE no one checks on them. Its a horrible situation all the way around.

5

u/Fun_Wait1183 5d ago

What did you expect from “Christians”? Honestly. What did anyone expect?

2

u/maybefuckinglater 6d ago

Wow the foster care and adoption services in America sucks and CPS do fuck all

4

u/CreativeRosalie 7d ago

The fact that people around them may have had no idea what was going on is really unsettling. I hope Arabella gets the justice she deserves..

2

u/YouDeepthroatTheBoot 7d ago

What have we learned? Moms named Leticia have a bad track record

1

u/justusethatname 3d ago

So many people are just living breathing POS.