Man, 20, Arrested in Death of Girl, 5
A 20-year-old Santa Ana man who carried an unconscious 5-year-old girl into a supermarket was arrested Friday on suspicion of murder after the child died at a local hospital, authorities said.
Police questioned Ricardo Ramirez Merentes most of the night after the child died at Anaheim Medical Center, Anaheim Sgt. Rick Martinez said. Officers booked Merentes early Friday, he said.
Merentes was carrying the girl, Jemena Orozco, when he walked into the Food 4 Less store at Beach Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue and asked for help to revive the child, investigators said. Several people administered first aid until paramedics arrived and transported her to the hospital, where she later died.
Martinez said Merentes is a friend of the girl’s mother. He would not elaborate on the nature of the girl’s injuries.
“Anything is possible, and we’re waiting for the autopsy results,” Martinez said.
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