Police: 3-year-old girl kept in closet, offered for sex

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Police in a Phoenix suburb say they're investigating a child-abuse case in which a 3-year-old malnourished girl was bound with duct tape, kept in a closet and allegedly offered for sex by a man babysitting the child.

Mesa police say the man was arrested Monday, along with the girl's mother, who allegedly shaved her daughter's head to get money by claiming the girl had cancer.

The girl was hospitalized in fair condition and placed in temporary state custody.

Police say 30-year-old Francisco Rios Covarrubias was arrested on suspicion of sex trafficking and other crimes, while the girl's 22-year-old mother was arrested on suspicion of child abuse.

The suspects remained in custody today.