Baby Is Found Dead in Trailer Gutted by Fire

A 6-week-old baby girl was found dead Friday in a trailer in Wilmington that was gutted by fire, authorities said.

Firefighters called to the 12:01 p.m. fire at 918 Schley Ave. took 11 minutes to extinguish the flames and then found the baby’s body in the midst of the burned-out ruins, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Greg Acevedo said.

Detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department’s abused child unit were called to investigate, as is routine in cases involving the death of a child under 3 months old.

Lt. Betty Kelepecz said the child’s mother was waiting for detectives outside the charred trailer when they arrived. It was not clear whether she was inside the trailer when the fire, apparently sparked by an electrical short, broke out.