A Los Angeles man who is accused of killing his girlfriend and taking their 5-year-old child to Mexico has been charged with murder and child abuse, according to the LA County District Attorney’s Office.
Ruben Fregosojuarez, 40, was charged with one count of murder and one count of child abuse.
The DA’s office said the suspect murdered his 36-year-old girlfriend and fled to Mexico with his 5-year-old daughter Daleza.
“The killing of a mother and the abduction of a young child is the kind of violence that shocks the entire community,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said. “I cannot imagine the grief and fear that the innocent child faced as she was allegedly snatched after her mother was killed. The defendant will face his day in court.”
After being seen near their West Adams home during the early morning hours of Sunday, May 24, the suspect and the daughter were caught on surveillance cameras from a parking garage in San Ysidro later in the day. He was carrying a suitcase while holding the 5-year-old girl’s hand, according to the images.
Police also found the man’s 2018 Land Rover inside the parking lot of the San Ysidro Point of Entry, but the father and daughter were not located.
If convicted as charged, Fregosojuarez faces 25 years to life in state prison.
The LAPD previously noted the suspect’s name as Ruben Fregoso.