The Region : Charges Filed in Slaying

Murder charges have been filed in Riverside County Superior Court against a convicted sex offender sought in the rape and strangulation death of 7-year-old Phoebe Ho, officials said. South Pasadena Police Lt. Richard Kowalschuk confirmed that Riverside County sheriff’s detectives filed charges against Warren James Bland, 52, in the death of the youngster, whose body was found in a field at Glen Avon in Riverside County. Sheriff’s Sgt. Joe Zseles said test results from the Department of Justice crime laboratory linked carpet fibers and paint found in Bland’s house to some found on Phoebe’s clothing. He added that Riverside sheriff’s detectives were assisting San Bernardino County investigators to determine if Bland is responsible for the death of Wendy Rachelle Osborn, 14, of Placentia, whose body was found Sunday in the Chino Hills. Bland, a house painter from Alhambra, was questioned in connection with Phoebe’s death, but was released for lack of evidence.