Dad, Stepmom Arrested Weeks After 14-Month-Old Daughter Dies

LONG BEACH, CA — The father and stepmother of a 14-month-old girl have been arrested more than two weeks after her death, Long Beach police announced.

Alfredo Munoz, 40, of Long Beach, and Kelly Munoz, 34, of Long Beach, were each booked into jail Tuesday on counts of murder, torture and child abuse causing death in connection with the toddler’s death, police said in a written statement.

Officers responded to a hospital about a possible child abuse incident on Nov. 7, police said.

Working with the Department of Children and Family Services, police said its detectives launched an investigation.

Medical staff notified detectives later in the day that the toddler was on life support and was not expected to survive, according to police. The girl died three days after she arrived at the hospital, police said.

Through an investigation, police said its homicide detectives determined the child had suffered ongoing abuse, adding that her “death was a result of abuse from her father and stepmother.”

Alfredo Munoz and Kelly Munoz are being held without bail, according to police.

Next week, detectives will present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, which will determine if criminal charges should be filed, police said.