Parents Of Missing Ventura County Girl Charged With Her Murder

VENTURA, Calif. (AP) — The parents of a missing Southern California girl who are in jail on contempt charges have been charged with killing their daughter.

Ventura County prosecutors said Wednesday an investigation that began in September 2016 concluded there was enough evidence to file murder charges against 26-year-old Mayra Chavez and 33-year-old Omar Lopez. It wasn't immediately known if they have attorneys.

The couple was jailed after a judge held them in civil contempt for allegedly failing to tell authorities where their daughter Kimberly was or what had happened to her.

Kimberly was reported missing in 2016 when she would've been 3, after social workers said they visited the family's home but couldn't find her.

The Ventura County Star reports that in addition to second-degree murder, Chavez also faces charges of torture and assault.