Missing Girl Found Near Border, Suspect Wanted in Mom’s Murder
A California man wanted in connection with a woman's violent death was reportedly captured on surveillance near the Mexican border with a five-year-old girl subject to an Amber Alert.
Ruben Fregoso, 40, was allegedly photographed alongside 5-year-old Daleyza Fregoso in San Diego on Sunday morning shortly after 7:30 a.m., according to New York Post. Investigators believe the two may have crossed into Mexico shortly after the images were taken.
The concerning development emerged just one day before Los Angeles police made a grim discovery during a welfare check at a South Los Angeles residence.
Body Found During Welfare Check
Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department responded to the 2600 block of South Alsace Avenue around 12:30 p.m. Monday after concerns were raised about a resident. Upon arrival, officers found an adult female deceased inside the home.
Police stated that preliminary investigation indicates the victim died as a result of violence. The department has not released the identity of the deceased woman or confirmed her relationship to the suspect and missing child.
Amber Alert Issued Hours After Discovery
The California Highway Patrol issued an Amber Alert for Daleyza Fregoso hours after the body was discovered. Authorities initially misspelled her first name as “Daleza” before correcting the error.
Despite both the suspect and the child sharing the same surname, police have not publicly confirmed the nature of their relationship. Investigators revealed that Fregoso allegedly made statements indicating his intention to flee the country.
Vehicle Recovered at Border Town
The white Land Rover believed to have been used in the case was recovered in San Ysidro, a San Diego border town directly adjacent to the Mexican border. However, neither Ruben Fregoso nor the missing child has been located.
Daleyza was last seen near Alsace Avenue and Ferndale Street in Los Angeles’ West Adams neighborhood. Video from the scene showed investigators removing a body from the residence on a stretcher while a medical examiner’s vehicle remained stationed outside the home.
Physical Descriptions Released
Ruben Fregoso is described as standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing approximately 200 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. Daleyza is described as approximately 3 feet tall, weighing around 45 pounds, also with black hair and brown eyes.
Authorities have not released further updates on the investigation or confirmed whether Mexican law enforcement has been engaged in the search.
With information from New York Post
