Man Sought in Beating, Abduction of Children

A Los Angeles man who allegedly beat his 16-month-old daughter and then abducted her 4-year-old sister remained at large Friday.

The abducted girl, Majesta Miranda, was found by a man about 6 p.m. Friday in a San Pedro neighborhood, a day after she disappeared. But police with tracking dogs continued to scour the neighborhood for her father, Harry Lee Perez, 36.

Police said Perez violently shook his toddler, Katarina Miranda, then threw her on a bed, where she bounced off and hit her head on a chest of drawers Thursday.

Perez drove Katarina to Gardena Memorial Hospital and then fled with his 4-year-old, said Lt. Daniel Mulrenin of the Los Angeles Police Department.

The girls’ mother, Muriel Miranda, 29, told police that Perez had abused Katarina in the past and sometimes put her in the freezer, annoyed with her crying.

Perez, who was released from prison in November after serving time for domestic abuse and robbery, is believed to be affiliated with the Mexican Mafia, Mulrenin said. “We’re concerned about his penchant for violence,” he said.

Perez and Miranda lived with their two daughters in a Southeast Los Angeles apartment.

Katarina, who suffered severe head injuries, was in fair condition at Miller Children’s Hospital in Long Beach. Police said Majesta appeared to be in good condition.

Police found Perez’s Honda Civic on Friday near the 1500 block of West 21st Street in San Pedro.

Perez is 5-foot-11 and weighs 190 pounds. He has “PEREZ” tattooed on his back, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the LAPD’s Abused Child Unit at (213) 485-4220 during business hours or (877) 529-3855.