BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- The death of Genesis Mata over the weekend sent such a shockwave through the community that advocates are renewing efforts to proactively identify -- and stop -- the abuse or neglect of children in Kern County.
"I think this is probably one of the worst cases -- if not the worst case -- that Bakersfield has seen," CEO of The Open Door Network Lauren Skidmore said.
"This is the worst we've seen in recent years. There's been other significant cases, but I think this type of torture is really unprecedented and I think this type of torture is just really unheard of, especially with parents inflicting the torture on their own child."
Skidmore says the abuse of Genesis Mata goes further than traditional abuse.
"I will say, this is the worst case scenario. What h