The parents and uncle of a baby girl kidnapped Saturday evening from the family’s home in Long Beach, California were shot as the abductor took off with the infant. Hours later, a baby girl was found dead in a dumpster over a hundred miles south in Imperial Beach, California.
Authorities began searching for baby Eliza Delacruz after her parents and uncle were shot and the little girl was taken. Detectives with the Long Beach Police Department indicated they believe the shooting was not a random act of violence.
On preliminary investigation, Long Beach detectives describe the alleged perpetrator as an adult, male suspect with dark skin, possibly Hispanic or African-American. The man fled the scene with the infant directly after the shooting and remains at large.
San Diego Sheriff’s Deputies, according to local ABC News affiliate ABC7, said the infant was found by a homeless man who was digging through a dumpster.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department released an early statement indicating a connection between the two events: “As the [San Diego] Homicide Detail responded to Imperial Beach they were made aware of a female baby who was kidnapped from Long Beach the prior evening.”
“The San Diego Coroner’s Office confirmed the deceased infant as Eliza Delacruz,” according to the Long Beach Police Department release.
Anyone with information on the crimes or suspect that remains on the loose is urged to call Long Beach Homicide Detectives Donald Goodman and Mark Mattia at (562) 570-7244. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit www.LACrimeStoppers.org.”
Photo: File
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