OAKVILLE, MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com) -
A South City mother is grieving after her 22 month old daughter is murdered allegedly at the hands of the mother's boyfriend. What the suspect allegedly did after the child was dead adds more shock to an already horrifying crime. Sophia, who was also known as "Baby," was discovered dead last Tuesday morning in her apartment on the 73 hundred block of Vermont in South City.
"She was taken too soon and it's not right," said 23 year old Kimberly Sanchez- the mother of 22 month old Sophia Sanchez.
Police say 24 year old Arlee Hayes, Kimberly's boyfriend and a man who was in Sophia's life for much of her life, killed the toddler by repeatedly striking her then leaving her unattended in a bathtub.
Investigators say Sophia died of blunt force trauma and from being submerged in the water. Kimberly was at work when the crime allegedly took place.
A tearful Kimberly told us, "She was the most beautiful thing that could have ever been in this world and she was my best friend and I don't know how I'm going to keep on going without her."
Sources say after Sophia was dead, Hayes put her in her car seat and went to pick up Kimberly at work. Then when they got home, Hayes allegedly put Sophia to bed- Kimberly found her daughter's body the next morning.
Kimberly tells me Hayes had always been kind to Sophia. She wants answers from Hayes.
"I just want to ask him why, why, what happened. I don't know what happened; I just want to know what happened. That's all I have to say when it comes to that. I just want to know what happened," said Kimberly.
Kimberly and Hayes have a son together, a six month old. That baby boy is now keeping her strong through incredibly difficult times.
She said, "I'm just going second by second, not even day by day. Not even day by day."
Services for Sophia are Tuesday. Hayes is charged with second degree murder. He was jailed on a 500 thousand dollar cash only bond.
"She was taken too soon and it's not right," said 23 year old Kimberly Sanchez- the mother of 22 month old Sophia Sanchez.
Police say 24 year old Arlee Hayes, Kimberly's boyfriend and a man who was in Sophia's life for much of her life, killed the toddler by repeatedly striking her then leaving her unattended in a bathtub.
Investigators say Sophia died of blunt force trauma and from being submerged in the water. Kimberly was at work when the crime allegedly took place.
A tearful Kimberly told us, "She was the most beautiful thing that could have ever been in this world and she was my best friend and I don't know how I'm going to keep on going without her."
Sources say after Sophia was dead, Hayes put her in her car seat and went to pick up Kimberly at work. Then when they got home, Hayes allegedly put Sophia to bed- Kimberly found her daughter's body the next morning.
Kimberly tells me Hayes had always been kind to Sophia. She wants answers from Hayes.
"I just want to ask him why, why, what happened. I don't know what happened; I just want to know what happened. That's all I have to say when it comes to that. I just want to know what happened," said Kimberly.
Kimberly and Hayes have a son together, a six month old. That baby boy is now keeping her strong through incredibly difficult times.
She said, "I'm just going second by second, not even day by day. Not even day by day."
Services for Sophia are Tuesday. Hayes is charged with second degree murder. He was jailed on a 500 thousand dollar cash only bond.
