Arizona mother charged with murder after 9-year-old dies from 'enormous' hair lice neglect

A 9-year-old girl died from symptoms connected to an untreated hair lice infestation in Arizona, and as a result, two women are facing felony charges in connection with the hideous death, according to reports from the state Department of Child Safety. 

On March 22, 2022, the Department of Child Safety received a report regarding a 9-year-old, Kelcye Kraykovich, who was found deceased at her home. 

The Tucson Fire Department responded to a 911 call and discovered the 9-year-old girl unconscious after arriving at the residence, according to a report from Tucson ABC affiliate KGUN-TV. 

First responders contacted the Tucson Police Department after attempting to perform life-saving procedures on the child, but medics were not able to resuscitate the girl, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Despite life-saving efforts, the child died and officials said: “large amounts of bugs began to cover her face” a report obtained by Tucson CBS affiliate KOLD-TV reads. 

There were “enormous amounts of lice in her hair,” the report adds. 

Detectives from the Child Physical Abuse Unit carried out an investigation and after several interviews charged the mother, Sandra Kraykovich, 38 and the grandmother, Elizabeth Kraykovich, 64 with child abuse, a Class 2 felony.

On March 25, 2022, a dependency petition was filed with the Pima County Superior Court and on May 11, 2022, the court ruled the mother, Sandra Kraykovich, neglected the fatality victim and her siblings, Children and Families said. 

Sandra Kraykovich told the police her child suffered from anemia and had been ill since Tuesday, March 15 with symptoms that included difficulty breathing, trouble keeping her balance, headache, sore throat, and fever.

According to text messages found on the mother's phone, her boyfriend had told her she needed to take her daughter to the emergency room. Several days later, the boyfriend urged her to do the same after she texted him saying: “OMG babe. Listen, I’m in my room and my mom called me. [Name redacted] was asking if I could check on her to make sure she isn’t dying,” CBS affiliate reported. 

Two weeks before the 9-year old died, Elizabeth Kraykovich texted her daughter, accusing her of being more interested in doing things with her boyfriend than taking care of her sick child.

Two other children who were siblings were also remanded into the custody of the state for their own protection.  Those children were reportedly involved in caring for their younger, deceased sister and had lice.