The death of 21-month-old Za’Naya Flores in January was due to malnutrition, the Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office has determined.
Za’Naya was taken to University of Arizona Medical Center on Jan. 12 after the Tucson Fire Department received a 911 call that she was having a seizure at her home in the 1800 block of South Kitt Place, near South Alvernon Way and East 29th Street, according to the Tucson Police Department.
She was pronounced dead at the hospital.
According to the autopsy report, Za’Naya weighed 14.6 pounds and her organs weighed below average for a child her age.
Search warrant documents said when Za’Naya was taken to the hospital she was emaciated and had non-existent blood sugar levels, an indication that she had not eaten a while.
Za’Naya also had several blunt force injuries on her head, neck, upper back, abdomen, and feet, according to the autopsy report.
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Three of the girl’s relatives, including her mother 23-year-old Kiyana Higgins, have been charged with second-degree murder and child abuse in connection with her death.
Kiyana Higgins’ mother Clara Huyghue, 52, and sister Keshawna Higgins, 25, were also charged in Za’Naya’s case.
Kiyana Higgins was found not guilty in a 2009 child abuse case involving another daughter.
Kiyana Higgins’ four surviving children are in the custody of Child Protective Services.
The Arizona Daily Star requested Za’Naya’s CPS case file more than a month ago, but the agency has not provided the documents.
Contact reporter Veronica Cruz at vcruz@azstarnet.com or 573-4224.
