Victoria Martens was due to celebrate her 10th birthday before she was murdered

A young girl was who was due to celebrate her 10th birthday was discovered dead in a burning blanket in a bathroom after suffering "the most gruesome act of evil", police reported.

Victoria Martens' dismembered remains were found in her family's apartment in Albuquerque by New Mexico police officers, New York Daily News reports.

It is reported she had been injected with methamphetamine, sexually assaulted, strangled and stabbed before she was dismembered.

Albuquerque Police Chief Gorden Eden Jr. said the murder was the "most gruesome act of evil I have ever seen".

The crime emerged on Thursday when a caller reported a disturbance in the family apartment.

The girl's mother, Michelle Martens (35), the mother's boyfriend Fabian Gonzales (31) and his cousin Jessica Kelley (31).

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Gonzales and Kelley have also been charged with criminal sexual penetration of a minor.

According to the criminal complaint filed, the mother told police Gonzales drugged the girl so he could calm her down and have sex with her.

She reportedly told police that Kelley held her hand over Victoria's mouth and stabbed her in the stomach after Gonzales choked the child.

She also said that Gonzales and Kelly dismembered the young girl.

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The police chief described the crime as a "a complete disregard of human life".

Gonzales has a previous criminal history which includes a felony child abuse charge, driving while intoxicated and resisting arrest.

He pleaded guilty to child abandonment in 2015.

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