Amber Alert: Missing 5-Year-Old's Mother Found Dead, Child Believed To Be With Killer, Police Say

SAN DIEGO, CA — An Amber Alert remained in effect Tuesday across parts of Southern California for a young girl believed to have been abducted by her father in Los Angeles County as authorities investigated the killing of the child's mother.

Authorities said 5-year-old Daleza Fregoso was abducted by 40-year-old Ruben Fregoso. They were last seen around 4 a.m. Sunday near Alsace Avenue and Ferndale Street, according to the California Highway Patrol, which issued an Amber Alert Monday on behalf of the Los Angeles Police Department.

The search began after officers responded to a radio call for a welfare check at 12:39 p.m. Monday in the 2600 block of South Alsace Avenue, according to police. A body discovered inside the Los Angeles home was identified as the missing child's mother.

The girl's father is considered a suspect in both the abduction case and the homicide investigation.

Investigators believed the pair were in a white 2019 Land Rover Discovery with the California license plate 9DAW715.

The CHP reported around 10:30 p.m. Monday that the vehicle was found, but the child and suspect were still missing. The CHP later confirmed the vehicle was found near the San Ysidro crossing at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Investigators have learned that Fregoso made statements indicating he intended to flee the country.

Daleza was described as 3 feet tall, about 45 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Ruben Fregoso was described as 5 feet, 9 inches tall and 200 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

The Amber Alert was in effect for Los Angeles,
Riverside and San Diego counties.

Anyone who sees the child or suspect was urged to call 911.