When paramedics reached the scene, they found lice crawling across a dead little girl’s face — an infestation worse than anything experienced during their lengthy careers. Overwhelmed by the stench of neglect that hung in the room, yet determined to save her life at all costs, medics did everything within their power and expertise; however, even professional medical care couldn’t prevent this 9-year old from succumbing to years of maltreatment by her own mother and grandmother.
In order to honor her memory, we have chosen not to disclose the identity of the young victim. Despite this tragedy occurring in Arizona, Sandra Kraykovich and Elizabeth Kraykovich – aged 38 and 64 respectively – were charged with first-degree murder for their role in killing an innocent baby girl.
On March 22, 2022, the Kraykoviches were apprehended for maltreating a nine-year-old child. According to court documents, when emergency responders arrived on the scene in response to an alert distress call they found the victim unconscious with “a large number of bugs” on their face.
As the paramedics peered closer, they discovered that “upon closer inspection, it was discovered that there was an enormous amount of lice in her hair.”
After obtaining text messages from the victim’s mother, police have evidence that she was aware of her daughter’s lice problem yet failed to take action. Sandra should’ve taken responsibility and done what was right – bring her girl to a clinic or get deliceing equipment from the local CVS – but instead allowed this infestation to spiral out of control.
On the day prior to discovering her daughter had become unresponsive, Sandra sent a message to her boyfriend on March 21st which stated: “OMG, babe. Listen, I’m in my room, and my mom called me. (redacted) was asking if I could check on her to make sure she isn’t dying.”
He implored Sandra to transport the ailing child to the hospital, yet Mom was unconvinced that it was as serious as he thought and refused.
Out of sheer desperation, Elizabeth threatened to dial 911. Being a caregiver for three children was already overwhelming; the thought of tackling Sandra’s lice issue seemed utterly impossible. Moreover, she had two teenagers in her care – ages thirteen and eleven respectively – but still felt confidently unequipped to cope with this exact situation.
Grandma sent a text message to the little girl’s mom, “can’t go to the E.R. with her hair, but that’s left to me because you not home.”
The coroner’s report is heartbreakingly devastating. The poor nine-year-old girl was sadly claimed by anemia, which had been brought about due to a lice infestation as well as malnutrition. Her premature demise has left us all in complete shock and despair.
After a thorough investigation, the Pima County Medical Examiner determined that neglect was the cause of her death. Consequently, both women were arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
After examining Sandra’s other children, it was decided that they needed to be protected from the lice infestations and placed into protective custody.
In a sworn affidavit to the police, Sandra expressed her remorse for her actions “if she had sought medical care, (her daughter) would probably still be alive.”
