Angel Jimenez, 5, was allegedly beat to death by her mother, 27-year-old Jessica Barron, at their Anthony, N.M. home, according to Dona Ana County authorities

"The way we're feeling right now is that we're devastated by this, the whole family. Second we have a lot of guilt; we have guilt," said Vivana Espino, Jimenez’s aunt. "This was a little girl who suffered a lot. Those last hours she suffered a lot. I don't know how long she had been suffering, but those last hours were very, very hard for her."

According to an arrest affidavit, Barron allegedly beat Jimenez with a stick until she lost consciousness.

Espino said her family had no indication that Jimenez was being beaten or mistreated. She did know that Jimenez had recently suffered a broken leg, she said.

"My mom asked Angel what had happened and she said she fell down the stairs,” Espino said.

Now Espino said she is not as sure exactly what happened.

She said she hopes people learn from this case.

"I know the way she died is not going to be in vain. I know something good is going to have to come out of this," Espino said.

Meanwhile, Barron remains in the Dona Ana County Detention Facility, charged with intentional child abuse resulting in death.

Funeral services for Jimenez will likely take place next week. Stay with KFOX for updates.