On Monday, February 27^th at approximately 9:00 am, the Drew County Sheriff’s Department was contacted by Drew Memorial Hospital in reference to possible child abuse.  When authorities arrived at the hospital they were told by hospital staff that the child had multiple injuries and bruises all over her body. The mother and stepfather had initially told authorities that the child had fallen off a dock at Lake Monticello onto some rocks on the morning of February 26^th. When notified that the child had died, Sheriff Gober recommended that the child’s body be sent to the Arkansas State Medical Examiner for an autopsy. Preliminary results of the autopsy confirmed that the injuries were not consistent with what the parents had told authorities.

On Thursday, March 1^st, the Drew County Sheriff’s Department and Arkansas State Police arrested Daniel and Victoria Pedraza in connection with the death of their two year old daughter, Aubriana Coke. They were taken into custody after a funeral visitation. Stepfather Daniel, 23, and Victoria, 21, lived on Old Highway 13 in Drew County.

Both Daniel and Victoria Pedraza are being charged with capital murder and permitting the abuse of a minor. They were each taken for a first appearance on March 2^nd before Judge Don Glover. The charge of capital murder requires no bond.