Woman Walking Dog Discovers Body of Teen Boy

A woman walking her dog along a dirt road early Wednesday found the body of a teen-ager who appeared to have suffered a head injury, authorities said.

The boy, who has not been identified, was lying in a ditch 40 feet south of Foothill Drive east of La Cuesta Drive when the woman found him at 7 a.m., according to sheriff’s Lt. Dan Martini. She then flagged down a passing motorist and used the driver’s cellular phone to call the Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies cordoned off the area and searched for clues, but found few leads to the case, which is being investigated as a homicide, Martini said.

Detectives believe the youth died where he was found from eight to 12 hours before the woman saw him. An autopsy was scheduled for today to determine the cause of death, Martini said.

The youth was described as being between the ages of 12 and 16 with short “step-cut” hair, about 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 125 pounds. He was wearing a white T-shirt, blue shorts and black Reebok sneakers, Martini said.

Deputies are asking anyone with information about the teen-ager to call (714) 647-7044 or (714) 834-6490.