KCCI learned horrific new details Tuesday in the death of Perry teenager Sabrina Ray.The Iowa Department of Human Services confirmed Tuesday that there is a child abuse investigation underway. First responders were called to 1708 First St. Friday, where the 16-year-old girl was found unresponsive. The home houses Rays of Sunshine Daycare, a state-licensed day care run by Misty and Marc Ray.Ray’s autopsy was completed Monday by the state medical examiner’s office, but a cause of death has not been released. A former foster child at the home told KCCI he witnessed the abuse firsthand. Marco Mendez, 19, said he was placed in Marc and Misty Ray's foster home four years ago and that he watched them terrorize Sabrina Ray for months. “(Sabrina) was really sweet,” Mendez said. Mendez held back tears as he spoke about Sabrina Ray. He said the two spent eight months together in the Perry foster home in 2013. “Sabrina was the main one who got beat the most,” Mendez said. Mendez said Sabrina Ray endured intense physical abuse at the hands of her adoptive parents and claims that Marc and Misty Ray would keep her from eating. “Sabrina would take the trash out,” Mendez said. “She would be so hungry that she would eat out of the garbage. Like old food. Trash (that) has probably been there like a week.” Perry police have released few details about how Sabrina Ray died. Officers said they removed other children from the home. “Those three didn't get to eat much,” Mendez said. “They would stash hot dogs in their diaper (and) Pop Tarts. Mind you, without the wrappers because if the wrapper made a noise and they got caught they'd get spanked or beaten or disciplined with no food for the next few days.” Mendez said he was allowed to eat in the home, but he reported Sabrina Ray's abuse to DHS. “They would always make sure they were eating at the time when the DHS worker was showing up there, but they never had a spot at the table or anything,” Mendez said. Iowa Sen. Matt McCoy compared Sabrina Ray's death to the death of West Des Moines teenager Natalie Finn. “My gut just dropped and I said "My God. Another kid has fallen through the cracks,’” McCoy said. McCoy said he is calling on the Iowa DHS to release more information. The Iowa DHS said it does not comment on child abuse investigations, but, "We are taking a comprehensive review of our child welfare system and want to assure the public of our commitment to protecting vulnerable children." “(Sabrina) could have been something,” Mendez said. “Now she's gone. Kids don't deserve that.” Mendez said he never witnessed the Rays abuse any of the children in their day care. No charges are filed in the case. Perry police and the Iowa DCI are still investigating.(Photo provided by Marco Mendez)
DES MOINES, Iowa —
KCCI learned horrific new details Tuesday in the death of Perry teenager Sabrina Ray.
The Iowa Department of Human Services confirmed Tuesday that there is a child abuse investigation underway.
First responders were called to 1708 First St. Friday, where the 16-year-old girl was found unresponsive.
The home houses Rays of Sunshine Daycare, a state-licensed day care run by Misty and Marc Ray.
Ray’s autopsy was completed Monday by the state medical examiner’s office, but a cause of death has not been released.
A former foster child at the home told KCCI he witnessed the abuse firsthand.
Marco Mendez, 19, said he was placed in Marc and Misty Ray's foster home four years ago and that he watched them terrorize Sabrina Ray for months.
“(Sabrina) was really sweet,” Mendez said.
Mendez held back tears as he spoke about Sabrina Ray. He said the two spent eight months together in the Perry foster home in 2013.
“Sabrina was the main one who got beat the most,” Mendez said.
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Mendez said Sabrina Ray endured intense physical abuse at the hands of her adoptive parents and claims that Marc and Misty Ray would keep her from eating.
“Sabrina would take the trash out,” Mendez said. “She would be so hungry that she would eat out of the garbage. Like old food. Trash (that) has probably been there like a week.”
Perry police have released few details about how Sabrina Ray died. Officers said they removed other children from the home.
“Those three didn't get to eat much,” Mendez said. “They would stash hot dogs in their diaper (and) Pop Tarts. Mind you, without the wrappers because if the wrapper made a noise and they got caught they'd get spanked or beaten or disciplined with no food for the next few days.”
Mendez said he was allowed to eat in the home, but he reported Sabrina Ray's abuse to DHS.
“They would always make sure they were eating at the time when the DHS worker was showing up there, but they never had a spot at the table or anything,” Mendez said.
Iowa Sen. Matt McCoy compared Sabrina Ray's death to the death of West Des Moines teenager Natalie Finn.
“My gut just dropped and I said "My God. Another kid has fallen through the cracks,’” McCoy said.
McCoy said he is calling on the Iowa DHS to release more information.
The Iowa DHS said it does not comment on child abuse investigations, but, "We are taking a comprehensive review of our child welfare system and want to assure the public of our commitment to protecting vulnerable children."
“(Sabrina) could have been something,” Mendez said. “Now she's gone. Kids don't deserve that.”
Mendez said he never witnessed the Rays abuse any of the children in their day care.
No charges are filed in the case. Perry police and the Iowa DCI are still investigating.
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(Photo provided by Marco Mendez)
