Auburn woman who tortured disabled man, six kids sentenced to life in prison

AUBURN, Wash. (AP) — A judge has sentenced an Auburn woman to life in prison for torturing a disabled father and his six children while they lived with her to avoid being homeless.

The Seattle Times reports that a King County jury convicted Maria Gonzales Esquivel charges of first-degree assault, second-degree rape and three counts of second degree assault.

The man and his children lived with Esquivel for 2 ½ years. Prosecutors say they suffered almost daily abuse. She was sentenced on Monday.

The victims, who are now between 10 and 22 years old, received a combined $8 million from Washington state as part of a legal settlement reached in March 2014. Their lawsuit said state agencies failed to investigate tips about the abuse.

Prosecutors say Esquivel assaulted them with rolling pins, metal kitchen utensils and electrical cables. The abuse also included sexual assault with an instrument, and mutilated genitals. The children were also denied access to food and showers, the Seattle Times reports.

In court documents, the woman was described as a "sadist."