Rewards Offered in Deaths

Los Angeles Councilman Nick Pacheco announced two $25,000 rewards for information about the deaths of two infants found within days of each other earlier this month.

On Oct. 4, a baby’s body was found on the ground near railroad tracks in the 3700 block of Union Pacific Avenue near Indiana Street, burned so badly that coroner’s investigators couldn’t determine the gender, LAPD Det. Christine Ruedas said. On Oct. 14, the body of a newborn boy was found in a trash can in the 5000 block of Alhambra Avenue near Valley Boulevard.

“These individuals must be held accountable for their conduct,” Pacheco said at a news conference Thursday.

Lt. Daniel Mulrenin of the LAPD’s Juvenile Division said women who don’t want their newborn have options. A state law allows newborns to be dropped off at hospitals without anyone facing charges. “This is so unnecessary. . . . If a mother doesn’t want her child, there’s a law in place where they can leave the baby at a public or private hospital, with no questions asked and no fear of prosecution,” he said.

“Perhaps we need to purchase billboard space or release more information on the radio.”

In July, two Wilmington residents looking for recyclable items found the body of a newborn girl in a trash bin. The baby was inside a tattered green and white bag, which also contained a baby spoon and two pens. A $25,000 reward has been offered in that case.

Anyone with information about the October cases is asked to call the Juvenile Division’s Abused Child Unit at (213) 485-2220 weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. During off hours, people can call (213) 485-2504.