PHOENIX (CBS5) -
Phoenix police said a sixth and final arrest was made in the death of 10-year-old Ame Deal, who died after being locked in a footlocker a year ago. But that announcement proved to be a little premature.
Her father, David Deal, was first arrested Friday night on charges related to the abuse of Ame. He was released without bond during his initial appearance on Saturday.
However, on Monday, a Maricopa County grand jury indicted Deal on felony child-abuse charges and he was arrested again, while driving away from his residence in a loaded U-Haul.
A neighbor at the Colony apartments in Phoenix, where he was seen packing up his belongings just before his latest arrest, told CBS 5 News that Deal had been living there for several months with his girlfriend, Deborah Allen, and her sister. She said he was often seen riding his bike and didn't talk much with his neighbors.
It's hard to forget Ame Deal's heartbreaking story.
The little girl died last summer after suffocating to death. She was padlocked inside a small footlocker as punishment for taking a popsicle without permission.
All six who have now been arrested were members of her "so-called" family.
Phoenix Police said the 52-year-old father is facing felony child-abuse charges. He is allegedly the first to confine his daughter in a dog crate for punishment.
He told investigators she was a "Pillsbury Doughboy-looking thing" and claimed her mental problems frustrated others. He denied being Ame's father.
The girl's cousins, Samantha and John Allen, face the death penalty for allegedly locking her in the small box, where she died in July 2011.
Her aunt, grandmother and another relative all face several abuse charges. They are accused of beating and torturing the little girl for years.
Deal is being held on a $250,000 cash only bond.
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Ame Deal died after being locked in a footlocker in July 2011.
David Deal was arrested a second time Monday as he was driving away with a loaded U-Haul.
