Kissimmee child abuse case raises questions about DCF's handling of investigation

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The mother of a woman accused of severely abusing her 4-month-old girl told Channel 9 her daughter is not responsible for the child’s injuries.

Mouna Mrichcha and Juan Snow were arrested after Kissimmee police discovered bruises, fractures and scratches on the baby girl’s body.

Neighbors said they suspected something bad was going on in the home.

“She doesn’t even cry. She had this look in her eyes. If you see her, you ask, 'What’s wrong?'” a neighbor, who didn’t want to be identified, said. “That’s like the house of horrors, it really is.”

While neighbors seemed to know what was happening with the baby, her live-in grandmother was oblivious to the injuries.

“Sometimes I’m at work and I don’t know what happens,” Rajaa Mrabet said.

Doctors treated the infant for cuts, rashes and fractures to her skull, ribs and ankle.

Channel 9’s Anthony DiLorenzo told Mrabet about the accusations against her daughter.

“No, it’s not on purpose,” she responded.

WFTV learned the Department of Children and Families assigned a case worker in January when the child was born, because drugs were found in her system.

In April, Yecenia Zamora checked out an abuse claim, but closed the case with no action.

DiLorenzo asked DCF if it failed to protect the child.

“We’re taking a close look and reviewing what the circumstances were of the prior cases and make a determination if it was appropriately handled,” said DCF’s spokesperson Kristi Gray.

When DiLorenzo went to the home on Agate Street to speak to Mrabet, he witnessed trouble at the home.

The victim’s two uncles were arrested after a domestic dispute in the street.

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