Girl killed in 'rape-murder fantasy' endured life of abuse

A 14-year-old Pennsylvania girl raped, tortured and killed at her adoptive mother's home had been abused or neglected in at least three homes during her short life.

A lawyer for Grace Packer's birth parents told The Associated Press they lost custody of the toddler over allegations that other adults were sexually abusing their young children.

[...] when that failed, they plotted to kill her, said Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Schorn, who oversees major crimes prosecutions in Bucks County.

Sara Packer, 41, and boyfriend Jacob Sullivan, 44, were arrested on murder and other charges last weekend after they were found unconscious from an over-the-counter overdose in what authorities called a joint suicide pact.

Sara Packer's public defender did not return phone messages this week.