ORLANDO, Fla. — Three family members were arrested Monday evening in connection with the death of a 27-year-old woman with cerebral palsy, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday morning.
Detectives said a Valencia College security guard discovered the body of Gladys Ambert at 8 a.m. on April 7 beneath a pink blanket near a wooded area on Valencia College Lane.
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Investigators said a family member reported her missing but knew where she was all along.
They said Ambert was deaf, mute and had the mental capacity of a 5-year-old. Her body was discovered on her 27th birthday.
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Detectives said Ambert was abandoned by her parents as a child, and she was raised by her paternal grandmother in New York.
They said when her grandmother died in July, Ambert came to live with her aunt and cousins in Orange County.
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Detectives said Ambert was tied up, bound and beaten daily from October until her death.
They said she was forced to urinate and defecate on herself.
“There were tons of new and old marks on her belly, marks on her ankles, marks on her wrist, marks on her arms,” Orange County Detective Joe Covelli said. “These were disgusting crimes committed against a person who could not take care of (herself).”
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Officials said Ambert received a monthly Social Security check of $700.
“She endured sheer horror in the last months of her short life,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a tweet.
The victim’s aunt, Nellie Ambert, 55, was arrested on charges of first-degree murder among other charges.
Her children were also arrested: Jasmine Ambert, 32, was charged with abuse and neglect of a disabled person; and Christian Matias,18, was charged with tampering with evidence.
Watch the news conference below:
At 8 a.m. on April 7, a Security Guard found the body of Gladys Ambert covered with a pink blanket, near the woodline along Valencia College Lane.
— Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) June 9, 2020
It was her 27th birthday. Gladys was deaf, could not speak and had cerebral palsy. OCSO Homicide detectives have made 3 arrests. pic.twitter.com/KaysRIN3Km
OCSO has made 3 arrests in the Gladys Ambert homicide.
— Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) June 9, 2020
Gladys’ aunt, Nellie Ambert,55, was arrested on charges of First Degree Murder (Disabled Person) & other charges. Jasmine Ambert, 32: Abuse & Neglect of a disabled person; Christian Matias,18, Tampering w/Evidence. pic.twitter.com/WT00a700Ll
Through their investigation, detectives learned that Gladys had lived with her paternal grandmother in NY. But when her grandmother died last summer, Gladys came to live with her aunt and cousins in Central Florida, & she endured sheer horror in the last months of her short life. pic.twitter.com/XIptuVHc1u
— Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) June 9, 2020
Police arrest 3 family members in the Homicide of Gladys Ambert. Deputies say the victim was 27 years old with a mental capacity of a 5 year old. #WFTV pic.twitter.com/ppJwR0PigC
— Karen Parks (@KParksWFTV) June 9, 2020
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