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Ex-Phoenix officer charged with murdering 7-year old daughter in Arizona

Posted at 3:09 PM, Dec 11, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-12 09:32:27-05

A former Phoenix police officer and his wife have been indicted for murder in the death of one of his children.

According to court records, Germayne and Lisa Cunningham each face one count of first-degree murder and 10 counts of child abuse. Germayne's 7-year-old daughter, Sanaa Cunningham, died in February. The indictment also alleges the couple forced the girl to sleep outside, confined her to a patio with trash, put her in restraints, and failed to provide medical care.

Prior court records indicate both Goodyear police and the Department of Child Safety were also called to the family home in December 2016 to check on Sanaa's welfare. Another court record indicates DCS was involved with the family "several times." The couple has six children combined.

After Sanaa's death, $8,000 was raised on GoFundMe to assist the family.  

Germayne worked as an officer for the Phoenix Police Department from 2005 until September 2017, when he resigned.

Germayne and Lisa Cunningham are scheduled to appear in court on January 2 to face charges.