AN EVIL babysitter reportedly watched on as a helpless girl was raped, strangled and burned to death by a sick predator a day after her tenth birthday.

Jessica Kelley was one of three people implicated in the horrifying murder of Victoria Martens in 2016, but only just now agreed to a plea deal - a day before she was due to go to trial.

7 Jessica Kelley took a plea deal the day before her trial was set to begin Credit: @KRQE

The victim was raped and murdered at her home in Albuquerque, and her body found wrapped in a blanket and set on fire.

Kelley and her cousin Fabian Gonzales were originally accused of raping and murdering the little girl while her meth-addict mother, Michelle Martens, watched.

The mother reportedly originally told police that she watched as the two cousins raped and then killed the child, but the story soon changed.

In June, prosecutors unexpectedly dropped murder charges against the trio.

7 Hundreds paid tribute the schoolgirl who was drugged, raped , chopped up and burned in a bathtub at the time Credit: Handout

7 Michelle Martens bore a nasty head injury when she was booked by police in 2016 Credit: AP:Associated Press

The move marked the latest change in a story that has had multiple twists and turns.

The Daily Mail reported how Bernalillo County District Attorney Raul Torrez said this latest move was because the evidence simply did not support what mother Michelle had said about the killing.

He said: "Everyone in the immediate aftermath of this crime focused on the statement Michelle Martens made and they took it at face value.

But he said "the pieces of this puzzle just didn't fit" and the story that Kelley and Gonzales raped and killed Victoria in front of her was "simply not true".

7 Fabian Gonzale' trial is on hold as police seek the fourth man involved in the crime Credit: AP:Associated Press

Prosecutors now believe there was a fourth person involved in the killing.

DNA evidence found on Victoria's body belonged to another man and cell phone data revealed that neither the mother nor Fabian Gonzales – the mother’s boyfriend - were in the apartment when she died.

Kelley pleaded guilty to child abuse resulting in death, tampering with evidence and aggravated assault on Monday, with her lawyer claiming she could be out within 20 years.

Mother Michelle pleaded guilty to child abuse last year and is awaiting sentencing, which will likely see her slapped with 12 to 15 years behind bars.

7 More than 600 mourners dressed in purple - Victoria’s favorite colour - as news of her death broke

Gonzales however is still awaiting trial while police hunt the fourth suspect.

Prosecutors believe it is their mystery man who killed Victoria, and said the terrible crimes were likely conducted while Kelley babysat the child.

Prosecutors believe the heinous acts were part of a gang dispute that the boyfriend, Gonzales, was involved in.

Gonzales has always denied having any role in her murder.

7 Jessica Kelley was reportedly babysitting the child at the time of her death Credit: AP:Associated Press

7 The murder took place in Albuquerque, in the United States Credit: Getty - Contributor

An autopsy revealed the child had been strangled, that she had been given alcohol, and had contracted an STD.

Police found no evidence the child had been given methamphetamine, further contradicting the mother’s account.

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Some of Victoria's remains were found in a hamper in the kitchen of an apartment her mother lived in.

Kelley was on parole for rape at the time of the girl’s death.

Over 600 people dressed in purple - the child's favourite colour - for a remembrance service after news of her death broke.

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