On September 11, 2014, 22 month old Mia Castanon was dropped off at the babysitters like any other day. The babysitter had watched Mia's sister and cousins for several years. The babysitter, Daena Soto was a State of Arizona certified DES child care provider.

Unfortunately that day has changed the lives of all those that loved Mia, especially her parents and sister. All the facts that have been gathered from that day are that "something" happened to sweet little Mia. Instead of calling 911 to get her help, the babysitter contacted members of her family to to help clean. Once Daena's family was there, she then called 911. When the police arrived they noticed Daena's mother had been vacuuming the room where Mia had been. The police had to make her stop vacuuming and cleaning. Daena's mother, Francisca Heredia, had been charged with "tampering with evidence", but was recently dismissed by the prosecutor. Francisca's charges were dismissed without even Mia's parents being aware of the prosecutions intent to dismiss nor were they notified after the charges were actually dismissed. Guadalupe Soto, Daena's mother in law, grabbed the bloodied vomit soaked blanket that Mia had been wrapped in and stuffed it in a box that beers were sold in. She then snuck the box containg the blanket by the police and put it in her car. She then took the box home washed it out and disposed of it by throwing it out her car window into the desert. The police were unable to locate the blanket until 4 days later. Guadalupe Soto is awaiting sentencing for her role in tampering with evidence.

Sadly several weeks later Mia's autopsy report was released and showed that she was the victim of homicide by manor of asphyxia. Mia had also suffered from brain swelling, abrasions and contusions to both her head and body. Being the victim of homicide would make you think that there would be someone charged with...murder. For whatever reason, those charges have not been placed against anyone. The closest is Daena Soto being charged with "Negligent homicide", but she recently reached a plea deal with the county attorneys office to plead guilty to "endangerment" and is also awaiting sentencing. This plea deal was accepted by the Judge even after reading letters from Mia's parents asking that Daena be taken to a trial by jury. Daena's husband Ricardo Soto Jr. and father in law Ricardo Soto Sr. have both been charged with "tampering with evidence".

How disheartening for Mia's parents to lose a huge part of their lives. A little girl that could literally melt away a bad day with a simple smile or laugh. Or for Mia's sister whom lost her best friend for life. To this day, they still do not know how or why their wonderful baby girl was taken from them.

I ask that you please join Mia's family and friends by requesting that both Honorable Judges Danielle B Liwiski and Javier Chon-Lopez give those that have been charged in connection with the death of poor little Mia, the maximum sentences allowed under law. Anything less would be a slap in the face to Mia's life and family. Time is of the essence as this petition must be delivered by August 19th.