DNA tests fail to provide suspect in assault on girl

Police said this week that while they believe 10-year-old Charlenni Ferreira was sexually abused before she died back in October, preliminary DNA tests have not provided any substantial evidence linking the assault to a possible suspect.

"I don't anticipate there's going to be any sexual assault charges," Police Homicide Lt. Philip Riehl said today.

Riehl said based on the preliminary report, the DNA sample taken from the victim may not be significant enough to lead to an identification.

Ferreira died from years of abuse from her father and stepmother, according to authorities. A preliminary report indicated that, among other things, she had been sexually assaulted shortly before her death.

Three men in the home in Feltonville where she lived - her father and two teenage stepbrothers - were questioned in connection with the investigation.

All gave DNA samples, Riehl said.

Charlenni, a fifth grader at Feltonville Intermediate School, was found unconscious in their home on Oct. 21. She was pronounced dead after being rushed to St. Christopher's Hospital for Children.

Her father, Domingo "Anibal" Ferreira, 53, and stepmother, Garabito, 42, were charged with murder, conspiracy, endangering the welfare of a child and several related offenses.

Four days later, Domingo Ferreira hanged himself in his cell at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Center.

According to authorities, Charlenni died of a lung infection caused by untreated broken ribs.

A Medical Examiner's report pointed to a history of abuse, citing several old and new injuries, including head trauma, an open eight-inch head wound, bruises on her back, legs and torso, broken bones, a fractured hip - that caused her to walk with a pronounced gait - and injuries to her vaginal and anal areas.

"This was about as ugly (a case) as I've ever seen," said Riehl, who said he's been involved in over 900 murder investigations.

"You wonder if the kid ever had a good day."

Garabito faces a preliminary hearing in the case next month.