Authorities arrest mother of baby found buried alive in Compton
The mother of a newborn baby who was found buried alive in Compton has been arrested, authorities said Sunday night.
On the day after Thanksgiving, the Compton sheriff’s station received reports of a baby crying near a riverbed at 136th Street and Slater Avenue.
Two sheriff’s deputies went to the scene about 4 p.m., Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials said.
“The cry that I heard, as a father, was more of a cry for help, I’m hungry, but not like I’m injured and hurt,” Deputy Adam Collette said Nov. 30. “I know what I was hearing, but I didn’t believe it.”
Collette and his partner, Deputy David Perry, began to remove pieces of asphalt. Collette reached inside the half-moon shaped crevice about a foot deep and pulled out a newborn baby girl. She was wrapped in a hospital blanket, but she was cold to the touch.
The baby girl, who is described as having black hair and being possibly Latina or of African American descent, was believed to be three to four days old when she was found.
Los Angeles County officials and investigators had been looking for the mother and had encouraged her to come forward.
On Sunday, Sheriff’s Deputy Juanita Navarro-Suarez confirmed that detectives identified and arrested the child’s mother but declined to provide any additional details.
She said more information such as the mother’s identity, the status of the child and the circumstances related to her arrest will be made available in a news conference Monday morning.
Investigators have previously said the baby was doing well and would eventually be put up for adoption.
For news on the California drought and water, follow me on Twitter @ByMattStevens
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