Man Accused Of Stabbing Girlfriend Jailed In Santa Cruz County

WATSONVILLE, CA — A man accused of fatally stabbing his girlfriend was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail Thursday night, months after his arrest in Mexico.

Alberto E. Scalant, 33, was accused of murder in the death of Robin Kern, 32, who was found July 12 by family in her apartment in the 300 block of Clifford Avenue.

Scalant was identified by investigators as a suspect and charged July 13 with felony charges related to murder, using a deadly weapon and committing a felony with another felony charge on his record, court records showed.

He is also facing enhancements, which can be tacked onto charges to increase a possible punishment.

Scalant was expected to appear in court early next week, police said. He cannot be released on bail, jail records said.

Watsonville detectives issued a nationwide and international alert for Scalant, police said. Mexican authorities in San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, arrested him less than two days after Kern was killed.

Scalant was handed over to American law enforcement in Yuma, Arizona, where the lengthy extradition process began, police said.

Kern's death marked the second time in less than a year that a young Watsonville mother was killed and that a romantic partner was implicated.

Anyone experiencing domestic violence may confidentially contact Monarch Services at its 24-hour hotline, 1-888-900-4232. Monarch Services can offer resources or information or discuss potentially unhealthy qualities of a relationship with a caller.

Brenda Becerra, 24, was found slain in October 2020 in her family car near Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz hours after she was reported missing. Cesar A. Hernandez, 47, was arrested near the U.S.-Mexico border and charged with murder.

He pleaded not guilty. Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Paul Burdick ordered him held in May on a charge of murder and two enhancements, committing serious and violent felonies, which Hernandez also denied, court records said.

Hernandez cannot be released on bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 25.