TUCSON, Arizona (13 News) – Myriam Cisneros has her hands full with a 2-year-old boy and his siblings.

Although he makes a lot of noise in their home, it is also quieter.

“Every room she entered, she lit up with her smile, an outgoing, very smart little girl. Her little brothers loved her,” said Myriam Cisneros, adoptive mother.

The life of 4-year-old Tammy Hernandez was ended prematurely drowned on March 16 while in the care of her father Nathan Peru.

“I don’t even want to imagine her final hours. It’s heartbreaking,” Cisneros said.

Peru is also wanted on two counts of sexual abuse of a minor and car theft. Authorities said Tammy was a victim of sexual abuse.

Cisneros said dealing with Tammy’s death was hard enough, but learning of the sexual abuse charges broke her heart.

“Now the truth is finally coming out. It’s not what you want to hear, but at least you have some closure,” Cisneros said.

Court records show Peru has a long criminal history in Pima County. Cisneros said after Tammy’s first few visits with Peru, Tammy told her she did not want to see him.

She claims she has shared her concerns with the Arizona Department of Child Safety but has always received the same response.

“They tell me it’s his right. She has the right to visit her father,” Cisneros said. “They thought I was exaggerating when I asked so many questions. You only ask so many questions because it’s about your loved one. It doesn’t matter if she wasn’t my biological daughter. She was my daughter.”

Although Tammy’s siblings are not blood related, they are still struggling with the consequences.

“Every morning my children come, say a prayer and light candles. It’s hard. It’s heartbreaking to see their siblings and their depression, to see that they have mental health issues,” Cisneros said.

With Tammy’s quiet voice no longer heard in the Cisneros home, Myriam wants justice for a loss she believes could have been prevented.

13 News reached out to the Arizona Department of Child Safety regarding Peru and was told they could not comment at this time.

Peru’s whereabouts are currently unknown, but authorities have said they also want to speak to him about Tammy’s “suspicious” death.

88-CRIME is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to Peru’s arrest. He is described as a 5’8″, 175 lb. Hispanic male with black hair and brown eyes. He has “Southside” tattooed on his arm, “5150” on the knuckles of his left hand, “Tucson 520” on his left hand, “A” on his right hand, and “Catalina” on his chest.

Anyone with information about Peru is asked to call 911 or 88-CRIME.

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