CALIFORNIA BRIEFING / PASADENA

A Pasadena woman and her boyfriend were charged Thursday with torturing and murdering her 2-year-old boy, who was found dead at home, police said.

Maria Pelaez, 29, and Gabriel Diaz, 32, allegedly taped the child’s feet, legs and arms Monday night, according to the Pasadena Police Department. The mother called 911 early the next morning, saying her son was not breathing.

The child, Rene Torres, was pronounced dead at the home in the 500 block of North Summit Avenue. He had died of asphyxiation before rescuers arrived about 6 a.m. Tuesday, Pasadena police said.

During interviews, the couple allegedly told detectives that they had repeatedly tied Rene with tape, including his mouth, during the last several months to discipline him, police said in a news release.

The charges against Pelaez and Diaz were filed by the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office, police said. Bail was recommended at $2 million. Arraignment was scheduled for next Thursday at Superior Court in Pasadena.

-- Robert J. Lopez