Couple to Stand Trial in Drowning of Boy, 2
A 24-year-old Pomona woman and her stepson have been ordered to stand trial on murder and child-abuse charges in the Sept. 28 drowning of the woman’s 2-year-old son.
Nancy Ruiz and James Ruiz, 18, were arrested after the child, Michael Ruiz, was rushed from a camp in Angeles National Forest to a Glendale hospital, where doctors noticed bruises on the child’s body.
James Ruiz is the son of Nancy Ruiz’s husband and the half-brother of the victim. According to preliminary hearing testimony, Nancy Ruiz told police she and James were having an affair. Police said the two had beaten the child and then repeatedly dunked him in an icy stream.
On Friday, Glendale Municipal Judge J.D. Smith ordered the defendants to appear for arraignment in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Nov. 7.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
