Mother held for murder of 7-year-old mentally challenged stepdaughter, who was locked in shackles and makeshift straightjacket
Lisa Cunningham, originally from Adelaide, will be the first Australian woman to face the death penalty in the US if convicted
A mother-of-four has been accused of torturing and murdering her mentally challenged stepdaughter who was allegedly found by authorities covered "head to toe" with almost 100 cuts and bruises. Lisa Cunningham (43) and her 38-year-old husband Germayne Cunningham, a former detective who works as a prison guard, are both facing trial for abusing, neglecting, and murdering seven-year-old Sanaa Cunningham, Germayne's daughter from a previous relationship.
The prosecutors on the case have alleged that the couple made the child sleep outside, locked her inside the laundry room in the home, and kept her contained with plastic ties, a makeshift straightjacket, and shackles. The child was also forced to wear diapers to relieve herself.