Woman charged with beating, raping niece

WORCESTER, Mass. -- A woman is being charged with beating and raping her 16-year-old niece who lived in her house and did her housework, police said.

Maria L. Escobar, 35, was charged with assault and battery on a child, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and two counts of rape of a child.

"She was in a position that she was doing all the house cleaning and all the chores basically while the daughters didn't have to do a thing," said Sgt. Kerry Hazelhurst, of the Worcester Police Department

Police said Escobar's sister left the teen with Escobar five years ago and that she's been living in depraved conditions ever since.

The girl suffered injuries, including two black eyes and a sprained wrist from allegedly being punched and kicked.

In September, the girl told social workers that she had been physically and sexually assaulted while she lived in the home.

According to police, the teenager's bedroom was sparse with bare walls, a bureau and a single bed with a blanket and sheet, while Escobar's two daughters' room had televisions, DVD players, video games and toys.

Escobar's lawyer said Escobar said the charges are untrue and that the teenager has been having problems on and off for years

Escobar is being held on $25,000 cash bail.

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