Baby Luna found dead in LA dumpster, 19-year-old mother charged with murder
A four-month-old girl was found abandoned in a dumpster in Los Angeles and later died in hospital. Her mother, 19-year-old Takiyah Babers, has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Four-month-old girl dies after being found in Los Angeles dumpster
A four-month-old baby girl was discovered abandoned in a dumpster outside the Pueblo Del Rio housing project near Alba Street and Long Beach Avenue in Los Angeles at around 10:30 p.m. on Monday, abc7news.com reports. Responding firefighters transported the infant to hospital, where she died. Her death is being investigated as a homicide.
Police on Tuesday evening identified 19-year-old Takiyah Babers as the suspect. Babers, described as the baby's mother, was arrested on suspicion of murder. Her bail has been set at $2 million. Authorities said the baby had been left in the dumpster within the previous 24 hours.
Laura Lacey, who identified herself as Babers' foster mother, told abc7news.com she believed her foster daughter was responsible for the infant's death. Lacey said she saw a news report about a baby found in a dumpster near the apartment where Babers and the infant — named Luna — had been staying. She and her partner Herman had dropped the baby off with Babers the evening before.
Lacey drove to the scene early Tuesday morning. As the hours passed, she said Babers' account of the baby's whereabouts was not adding up. After an extended search, Lacey heard a description from a woman who had reportedly found Luna in the dumpster.
"Everything she was describing was the same thing Luna had on," Lacey said. "The lady that saw the baby said she had pink pants, a flower shirt with some gloves on."
Lacey said she is in disbelief at what she believes occurred.
"She put that beautiful baby in the [expletive] trash. Who does this!"
She added that if her foster daughter is confirmed to be responsible, there could be no forgiveness.
"I have no love for her. Why? Because she didn't have no love for that innocent baby."
The LAPD's Community Safety Partnership Bureau said its focus is on supporting those affected in the immediate neighbourhood. Deputy Chief Ruby Flores said the priority is ensuring the community can process what has happened.
"We want to ensure that there's proper healing, that the community members understand what's happening, and that they can be there for one another," Flores said.
Police have not officially confirmed that the baby found in the dumpster is Luna, and the investigation remains ongoing.
California's Safely Surrendered Baby law allows any parent who feels unable to care for a newborn to surrender the infant without penalty within 72 hours of birth at a designated fire station or hospital. The nearest Safe Surrender site in Los Angeles County can be located by calling 1-877-BABYSAF (1-877-222-9723).
Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)