The parents of a 1-year-old girl who died earlier this month have been arrested and are facing abuse and murder charges in the infant’s untimely death.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced Monday that Leslie Garcia, 20, and her boyfriend Jonathan Salazar, 21, were arrested in the death of their daughter.
On the evening of Nov. 9, LASD Deputies responded to a home on the 2600 block of Strathmore Avenue in Rosemead after receiving a call about a baby not breathing.
The girl was rushed from the home to a local hospital, at which point hospital staff informed deputies that the baby had “multiple injuries” consistent with abuse.
The investigation was handed over to the LASD Special Victims Bureau and Garcia was arrested on Nov. 12.
Days later on Nov. 15, nearly a week after having arrived at the hospital, the little girl was pronounced deceased.
The investigation was then transferred again to the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau.
Over the days that followed the infant’s death, detectives uncovered evidence linking Salazar to the crime. On Saturday, he was also arrested in connection with the girl’s death.
Garcia and Salazar are expected to face charges for child abuse, including abuse causing comatose or paralysis. Salazar is expected to be charged with the girl’s murder.
Sheriff’s Department officials said the girl had an older sibling who has been placed in protective custody.
The investigation remains ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact the LASD Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tips can be submitted online or by calling 800-222-8477.