: The case sparked protests against Kern County Child Protective Services (CPS). Family members claim multiple reports of abuse were made long before Genesis’s death, alleging that Bustamante and Mata would hide the children or make them wear masks to conceal injuries from social workers.
A central part of this story is a series of jailhouse interviews by 23ABC where Bustamante attempts to frame herself as a victim. Video - Flaquita Araceli Bustamante E-19936
: These claims are heavily disputed by police reports and text messages presented in court, which show the pair discussing how to hide the child from social workers and using derogatory terms to describe "disciplining" her. Systemic Failures and Vigilantism : The case sparked protests against Kern County