Erin Runnion Issues Plea in L.A. Teenager’s Slaying

The mother of Samantha Runnion -- the 5-year-old girl abducted and killed in Orange County last year -- visited East Los Angeles on Friday to help the family of a teenage murder victim publicize a hefty reward in the mysterious crime.

Erin Runnion appeared at a news conference alongside the mother and sister of 15-year-old Brenda Sierra. The teenager disappeared from the street last fall as she walked from her East Los Angeles home to Schurr High School in Montebello.

She was found dead from blunt trauma to the head the following morning in a rural area of San Bernardino County.

During the news conference, Runnion and Fabiola Saavedra -- Sierra’s sister -- urged anyone who knows what happened to call police and claim the $150,000 reward. “I hope today you find it in your heart to remember that night, that evening,” Saavedra said.

Said Runnion, who involved herself in preventing crime against children after her daughter’s highly publicized murder: “This is not a rare crime.... In Brenda’s case, there is a child killer still on the loose.”

In trying to solve her sister’s case, Saavedra sought help from Runnion, who formed the Joyful Child Foundation. “She has given me a lot of support over the phone -- to hang in there,” Saavedra said.

The reward, which was originally $5,000, was increased by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors at the request of Supervisor Gloria Molina.

The numbers to call with information are (909) 387-3589 or (323) 264-4151. People wishing to remain anonymous can call (800) 78-CRIME.

Sierra was last seen between 7 and 7:30 a.m. Oct. 18 near Whittier Boulevard and South Leonard Avenue in East Los Angeles. Her body was found about 10 a.m. the next day near Skyview Lane in the Valley of Enchantment area of Crestline.

“We know there are people who have information,” said Chip Patterson, a spokesman for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

He said officials believe the reward “could make the difference.”