Jocelyn Nungaray was sexually abused by illegal immigrants before her alleged murder, family says

Jocelyn Nungaray, the 12-year-old girl allegedly killed by illegal immigrants in Texas, was sexually abused and then strangled, according to her family and recent forensic tests.

Nungaray’s family confirmed to FOX 26 Houston on Tuesday that she was sexually abused before her killing.

Two Venezuelan citizens – 21-year-old Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel and 26-year-old Franklin Jose Peña Ramos – are facing capital charges in connection with her death. The two men entered the United States illegally earlier this year.

Both suspects are accused of luring Jocelyn under a bridge and sexually assaulting her before strangling her and leaving her in a creek.

MURDER OF JOCELYN NUNGARAY: TEXAS COUNTY IS LABELLED A ‘HAVEN FOR CRIMINALS’ AS DEMOCRATIC ATTORNEY TRIES TO SHIFT BLAME

12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray was found strangled in a creek in Houston. (Fox Houston courtesy of the Nungaray family)

The Harris County District Attorney’s Office received the lab results in connection with the investigation into Jocelyn’s death.

Although test results appear to suggest she was sexually abused because semen was found on her, there is no DNA match yet, a source familiar with the investigation told Fox News.

The Harris County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement to Fox News that it would not “comment on the evidence in this case until the appropriate time.” The Houston Forensic Science Center declined to provide details.

The family is now waiting for the court to accept the new evidence and seek to have bail revoked to seek justice for Jocelyn’s death.

Jocelyn’s grandfather, Kelvin Alvarenga, told Fox 26 that it will be nearly impossible for the family to “get over this feeling of loss.”

If the defendants are found guilty of sexually abusing Jocelyn, they face the death penalty. But Jocelyn’s family is against the death penalty and wants the defendants to spend their lives paying for their crimes.

“I want them to remember Jocy for the rest of their lives,” Melfri Vargas, Alvarenga’s wife, told Fox 26. “I want them to remember what they did every time they go to sleep and show the others that you don’t mess with our child, you don’t mess with the United States, you don’t mess with Texas.”

Franklin Jose Peña Ramos (left) and Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel were charged with the killing of Jocelyn Nungaray in Houston, Texas. (Harris County Jail)

Because the suspects in this case are two illegal immigrants, Jocelyn’s death sparked a political debate about U.S. immigration policy.

“I want them to not only use my granddaughter as a political base, but I want them to know that her name is Jocelyn Nungaray,” Alvarenga told Fox 26. “We just want to make a difference for Jocy. We don’t want Jocy’s memory or name to be forgotten so quickly.”

Alvarenga wants those responsible for Jocelyn’s death to receive a life sentence without parole and stresses the importance of reminding them daily of what they did to the girl.

“I would rather the general public remember this,” he said. “Life without parole, so that every night when they go to bed they can remember the cruel thing they did to our family.”

After Jocelyn’s death made national headlines, her family said they were grateful for the support they received from city and state politicians, as well as former President Trump.

Illegal immigrant accused of killing Jocelyn Nungaray wore an ice ankle brace

According to recent forensic examinations, 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray was sexually abused and then strangled. (Getty Images)

“God bless him, because at the end of the day, I don’t want my daughter’s accident to go down in history as another statistic for the city of Houston or the state of Texas. Former President Trump is reaching out to him and my blessings go out to him, God bless him,” Alvarenga said.

Jocelyn’s mother, Alexis Nungaray, is struggling with the aftermath of her daughter’s death, Alexis’ father told Fox 26. Jocelyn’s five-year-old brother also asks about his sister every day and wants to be with her.

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“She is a single mother and the hardest thing for her and for us is to explain to a five-year-old that his Cici will no longer be at home,” said Vargas. “He asks when he will see Cici again. We try to explain it as best as we can to a little one. It’s not easy. He always asks about her, he wants to visit her.”

The two suspects must appear in court again in September.

Fox News’ Nate Foy contributed to this report.