Indicators of mistreatment can often appear in a child’s physical condition.
Miller Costello, 25, and Brenda Emile, 22, were reportedly aware of this and allegedly attempted to cover up signs of harm on their three-year-old daughter, Angelina Costello.
The couple, residents of Ogden, Utah, contacted emergency services on July 6 to report that Angelina was unresponsive at home.
Responding officers arrived at the scene and were met with a situation they had not anticipated.
Angelina appeared extremely underweight, with noticeably sunken facial features, and her skin showed multiple marks, including scars and bruises in various stages of healing, some of which had been concealed with makeup.
Emile later admitted to using makeup in an attempt to cover the visible signs, as she did not want their condition to be fully noticed.