Authorities say newly obtained surveillance images may show a missing 5-year-old girl near the U.S.-Mexico border alongside a man suspected in the violent death of her mother, raising concerns that the pair may have crossed out of the country.
Investigators believe the images capture 40-year-old Ruben Fregoso with Daleyza Fregoso in San Diego on Sunday shortly after 7:30 a.m., just hours before officials think they may have entered Mexico. The sighting surfaced as part of an ongoing Amber Alert issued for the child.
Discovery
The development came one day before Los Angeles police discovered the body of an adult woman inside a residence in South Los Angeles. Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department responded to a welfare check around 12:30 p.m. Monday at a home in the 2600 block of South Alsace Avenue.
“Upon arrival, officers discovered an adult female deceased inside the residence,” LAPD said in a statement. Police said preliminary findings indicate the woman died as a result of violence.
Authorities have not publicly identified the victim, but investigators believe the case is connected to the disappearance of Daleyza Fregoso.
Alert
Hours after the body was discovered, the California Highway Patrol issued an Amber Alert for the missing child. Daleyza was initially identified as “Daleza” before officials corrected the spelling of her first name.
Daleyza was last known to be in the area of Alsace Avenue and Ferndale Street in Los Angeles’ West Adams neighborhood.
Police have not confirmed the exact relationship between Ruben Fregoso and the child, despite both sharing the same last name.
Border Activity
Investigators said surveillance images appear to show Ruben Fregoso and Daleyza together in San Diego near the border with Mexico. Authorities believe the sighting occurred shortly before the pair may have crossed into Mexico.
A white Land Rover believed to be connected to the case was later found abandoned in San Ysidro, a border community near the port of entry. Neither Ruben Fregoso nor Daleyza was located with the vehicle.
Police also said Fregoso allegedly made statements suggesting he intended to flee the country.
Descriptions
Authorities released descriptions for both individuals as the search continues.
Ruben Fregoso is described as approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing about 200 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
Daleyza Fregoso is described as about 3 feet tall, weighing approximately 45 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
Investigation
Video from the South Los Angeles residence showed investigators removing a body from the home on a stretcher while a medical examiner’s vehicle remained parked nearby. Police have not released details about the cause of death or said whether charges have been formally filed.
Officials have not provided additional updates on whether international authorities are involved, though cases involving possible border crossings are often coordinated with federal and foreign law enforcement agencies.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the whereabouts of Daleyza Fregoso or Ruben Fregoso to contact law enforcement immediately.
FAQs
Who is the missing child?
Daleyza Fregoso, a 5-year-old girl.
Who is Ruben Fregoso?
A man wanted in connection with a woman’s death.
Where were they last seen?
Near the San Diego border area on Sunday morning.
What prompted the Amber Alert?
The child’s disappearance after her mother’s death.
Has anyone been arrested?
No arrests have been announced.
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