OC Man Posts Bail After Fireworks Blast Kills 8-Year-Old Girl

BUENA PARK, CA — A Buena Park man posted bail following his arrest on charges involving an 8-year-old girl who was killed in a fireworks explosion on Independence Day, The Orange County Register reported.

The man, identified as 46-year-old Earl Decastro, posted a $25,000 bail after his arrest on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter, according to the newspaper.

According to police, Decastro was hosting a 4th of July party, while the victim — identified as Jasmine Nguyen of Anaheim — was the daughter of a family friend.

RELATED: Child, 8, Killed by Fireworks In Buena Park Identified

Jasmine was injured at 9:45 p.m. Friday in the 8000 block of Cornflower Circle, north of La Palma and Stanton avenues, according to the Buena Park Police Department. Officers were patrolling there after seeing a large quantity of fireworks detonate in the area, and observed family members "frantically carrying a child into a residence."

They stopped and attempted life-saving efforts before the girl was rushed to UC Irvine Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

"Through initial investigation, a large illegal fireworks display, which was placed in the street by the homeowner, failed and began misfiring toward the residence where the child was," police said Saturday. "This caused other illegal fireworks to ignite, which were near the child and others. At some point, the child had been struck, causing fatal injuries. Several other individuals were present, but no significant injuries were reported."

RELATED: OC Girl, 8, Killed By Fireworks; Homeowner Arrested

Jasmine was the daughter of a friend of the Buena Park family, Lt. Jon- Michael Shaddow of the BPPD told Southern California News Group.

Police were working with Orange County Fire Authority investigators and the Orange County Sheriff's Department Bomb Squad while the investigation continues.

Unlike some Southland cities that ban residential fireworks completely, Buena Park allows so-called "Safe-and-Sane" fireworks.

City News Service contributed to this report.