Federal Probe Sought in Death of Toddler in Police Standoff

The lawyer for the family of a toddler killed during a police shootout with her father last month has asked for a federal probe of the child’s death.

Attorney Luis A. Carrillo, speaking Monday outside Los Angeles Police Department headquarters, accused Chief William J. Bratton of “circling the wagons” to protect officers involved in the July 10 death of Suzie Marie Pena in Watts.

“That is their paramount objective,” Carrillo said. “The LAPD is incapable of investigating its own officers.”

Sgt. Catherine Plows, an LAPD spokeswoman, said Bratton does not believe a federal inquiry is necessary but “has made it very clear that we are a transparent department. If it came to that, the LAPD would fully cooperate.”

Eric Holland, a representative of the U.S. Justice Department in Washington, said the agency would carefully review the request if one is received. Carrillo said the request was sent Sunday by letter.

The father of the 19-month-old, Jose Raul Pena, 34, was also killed in the shootout. According to police, he used his daughter as a human shield while repeatedly firing at officers and civilians. The coroner determined the girl died after being struck in the head by a police bullet.

Some community members have joined the baby’s mother, Lorena Lopez, in blaming the LAPD for Suzie’s death. They believe SWAT officers should have tried harder to negotiate with Pena, who had holed up in the office of his car dealership.

Bratton has staunchly defended the officers, saying the child’s death was caused solely by Pena. The department, its inspector general and the district attorney’s office are investigating the shootout.

Carrillo criticized Bratton for what he called a campaign to discredit the family. In a television interview, Bratton referred to the family as “dysfunctional,” said the attorney, who said the assertion is “totally false.”

The coroner found evidence of cocaine in trace amounts in Suzie’s body. The medical examiner said the girl could have been exposed to cocaine through contaminated food or breast milk, or from being in a room where the substance had been used.

Times staff writer Alicia Wittmeyer contributed to this report.