Cops say 3-year-old was abused before

Willimantic, Conn. (WTNH) - The injuries a 3-year-old girl suffered Wednesday may have caused her death, but according to the state it wasn't the first time she was beaten up.

Fredy Alexander Chingo Riz, 23, is accused of inflicting extensive internal and external injuries onto 3 year old Athena Angeles, his girlfriend's daughter. Police say Riz, who used an interpreter during his arraignment, beat the little girl back in October, as well as on Wednesday.

"No we can't say anything, this is a terrible situation, terrible situation. No child should die like that," said one woman who works in the Willimantic school system.

In the Hope Street neighborhood where Riz lived with the victim, her mother, and her two year old sister, folks were upset to learn Athena died of blunt abdominal and chest trauma.

"It's just horrible, like I mean can't put it into words," said neighbor Jenny Clarke. "Like I have a four year old niece lives with me, it's devastating."

"I wave to her and her mom and she was, you know she was so bashful, she was a gorgeous little kid,' said neighbor Virginia Gamache.

Neighbors give some insight into what they saw between the couple and the troubles they believe led up to this tragic outcome.

"I could see when they would be out, he was very possessive. Where he didn't want... she could be out by herself, she had to be right with him," said Gamache.

"The horrible thing that he got in a fight with his girlfriend and the poor little girl ended up the casualty," said Clarke.

Riz is an illegal alien, so the Guatemalan consulate might also be contacted in this case.