Man Arrested on Murder Charge in Girl’s Death
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 was pronounced dead at Anaheim Medical Center, Anaheim Sgt. Rick Martinez said. Officers booked Merentes early Friday, he said.
Merentes was carrying the girl, Jemena Orozco, in his arms when he walked into a Food 4 Less store and asked customers for help to revive the child, investigators said. Several people administered first aid until paramedics arrived.
Martinez said Merentes is a friend of the girl’s mother. He would not elaborate on the nature of the girl’s injuries.
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