Murdered 8-Year-Old Girl Lived in a Drug Den, Investigators Confirm

Oct 17, 2014 01:56 AM EDT

(Photo : Photo released by the Mohave County Sheriff's Office) Isabella Grogan-Canella (Left) was killed on September and was found out to have lived in a drug den with her stepfather (Top Right), mother (Middle Right), and grandmother (Bottom right) who are now in the custody of the police.

The death of an 8-year-old girl from Arizona, who was killed back in September, prompted officials to conduct a month-long investigation on her family and it was discovered that the young girl lived in a drug den, reports state.

A narcotics investigation led to the arrest of the mother, stepfather, and grandmother of Isabella Grogan-Cannella on grounds of felony drugs.

Like Us on Facebook

29-year-old Tania Grogan, the mother, and 28-year-old Ralph Folster III, the stepfather, both were dealing methamphetamine and heroin in Bullhead City, Arizona. It was also found out that the two were the suppliers of the family friend charged with killing Isabella.

Grogan and Folster are being held at the Mohave County jail with a US$250,000 bond. They were both appointed with public defenders but the case will reportedly be handled outside the county office as it is linked to the murder of the 8-year-old girl.

Isabella's grandmother, 59-year-old Freddie Nicholson, is also being held in jail but with a lower bond amounting to US$100,000.

The police also searched the home where drug paraphernalia and a methamphetamine pipe were recovered. Nicholson was allegedly helping Grogan sell the drugs.

Grogan immediately surrendered however Folster refused to go with police and was later discovered hiding in a neighbour's attic.

Justin Rector, the alleged suspect in the killing of Isabella, has been charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping. Rector has pleaded not guilty and claims that although he was at the house where Isabella lives, he spent the entire day smoking meth.

No bond has been posted for Rector.

Isabella was first reported missing on September 2^nd and the following day authorities discovered her remains in a shallow grave. According to reports, she was partially clothes when uncovered and medical examiners were able to rule strangling as the cause of her death.

TagsKilled, 8-year-old girl, Arizona, drug den, dealing, mother, stepfather, grandmother, suppliers, sales, methamphetamine, heroin, Bullhead City, Isabella Grogan-Cannella