Florida Couple Accused of Abusing Girl, Made to Stay Outside and Sleep on Floor

April 12, 2011 — -- A stepmother accused of forcing her 12-year-old stepdaughter to live in squalor outdoors and do countless hours of chores, while the girl's younger half sisters were allowed to play and sleep in beds, has been charged with child abuse in a case that neighbors have compared to Cinderella.

Joanna Moreno, 31, and her husband Juan Moreno, 34, were arrested Saturday in Fort Pierce, Fla., following a domestic disturbance call that ultimately led police to learn about the girl's plight.

The girl, who police have not identified because of her age, was not allowed to use the bathroom inside the house. She was forced to use an outdoor shower and a makeshift latrine that reeked of urine and feces, according to a police arrest report.

Forced to Do Yardwork

"She is kept outside all day while her father is at work," according to the document and was made to clean the house, do all the yard work and clean the pool.

At night she was allowed to come indoors, but forced to "sleep on the floor in one of the bedrooms. She is not allowed to use the bed or have any sheets or blankets."

According to police, the girl was routinely physically and emotionally abused by her stepmother, who would hit and slap her. Once the stepmother hit her in the head "with a shoe causing a gash."

When police found her she was filthy. "Her clothing was soiled and dirty. Her feet appeared to have several days worth of dirt on them. Her hair was chopped short in a boy cut. It appeared dirty and unbrushed. She had an odor as if she had not had a proper bath in a few days."

The girl's two younger half sisters, aged 8 and 10, however, were clean, allowed to play and sleep in beds, according to police.

Neighbors said they had noticed the girl and a cousin told police she had reported the family to the state's Department of Children and Families, but no action was ever taken.