Slain Arizona 8-year-old girl’s stepfather pleads guilty to drug charges
KINGMAN, Ariz. — The stepfather of the victim in a high-profile child murder case in Bullhead City is going to the Arizona Department of Corrections for unrelated convictions.
Ralph Folster, 28, pleaded guilty Friday to six counts of sale of dangerous drugs and one count of misconduct involving weapons as a prohibited possessor.
The investigation of the asphyxiation death of 8-year-old Isabella “Bella” Grogan-Cannella in early September led to drug dealing charges against Folster, his mother, Freddie Nicholson, 59, and his wife, Bella’s mother, Tania Grogan, 29.
They are alleged to have sold drugs from the home where they left Bella under the supervision of Justin Rector, 26, a family friend. Rector faces a possible death sentence if convicted of the murder of Bella, whose body was found buried in a shallow grave about a half mile from the residence.
Under terms of the plea agreement, Folster faces a 10½- to 35-year prison term when sentenced May 5 by Mohave County Superior Court Judge Billy Sipe.