PHOENIX — A Valley woman is facing child abuse charges after three juveniles accused her of beating and threatening them.
Court records show Phoenix police officers were dispatched to an apartment complex after three kids knocked on the door of a resident. The witness allegedly observed zip-ties on the children and injuries to their hands.
During interviews with police, the children alleged that 33-year-old Sarah Canez had restrained them and subjected the juveniles to various forms of abuse.
The children said the suspect allegedly placed bags over their heads, shoved a gun in their face, put a knife to their throat and hit them with various objects.
Court records show the children further alleged the suspect told them she was going to "kill them."
During a search of the residence, officers allegedly found a handgun and zip ties.
Canez is facing criminal charges of kidnapping, aggravated assault and child abuse. Her bond was set at $250,000.
UP TO SPEED
How big is Maricopa County?
Maricopa County is the United States’ 4th largest county in terms of population with 4,485,414 people, according to the 2020 Census.
The county contains around 63% of Arizona’s population and is 9,224 square miles. That makes the county larger than seven U.S. states (Rhode Island, Delaware, Connecticut, Hawaii, New Jersey, Massachusetts and New Hampshire).
One of the largest park systems in the nation is also located in Maricopa County. The county has an estimated 120,000 acres of open space parks that includes hundreds of miles of trails, nature centers and campgrounds.
The county’s seat is located in Phoenix, which is also the state capital and the census-designated 5th most populous city in the United States.
The county was named after the Maricopa, or Piipaash, Native American Tribe.
