Two girls, 9 and 11, awarded $31.5m after sister’s California torture death

Key Highlights

• The girls were ages six and seven at the time.
• Their adoptive mother, Leticia McCormack, and McCormack’s parents, Adella and Stanley Tom, are facing charges of murder, conspiracy, child abuse and torture.
• They pleaded not guilty to all charges, and their criminal case is ongoing. Arabella McCormack.
• an Diego county sheriff's officeThe lawsuit alleged a systemic failure across the city and several agencies and organizations to not report Arabella McCormack’s abuse. The settlement includes $10m from the city of San Diego, $10m from San Diego county, $8.5m from the Pacific Coast Academy and $3m from the Rock church, the sisters’ attorney, Craig McClellan, said.
• The school oversaw Arabella McCormack’s home schooling, and her adoptive mother was an ordained elder at the church.“The amount is going to be enough to take care of the girls for the rest of the lives,” McClellan said.