A Los Angeles man is facing criminal charges after prosecutors say he killed his girlfriend, abducted their young daughter, and fled across the border to Mexico.
Authorities said a preliminary investigation indicated the woman—whose identity has not yet been released—was killed as a result of violence. No additional details were provided about the cause or manner of death. NTD reached out to the LAPD for more information, but a response was not received by publication time.
Prosecutors said Fregosojuarez then fled to Mexico with their 5-year-old daughter, Daleyza Fregoso.
In a statement, District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman described the case as a shocking act of violence.
"I cannot imagine the grief and fear that the innocent child faced as she was allegedly snatched after her mother was killed," Hochman said. "The defendant will face his day in court, and our Family Violence Division will pursue every available resource and work with federal and Mexican law enforcement authorities to seek justice for the woman whose life was stolen and for the child caught in this tragedy."
Deputy District Attorney Kelsey McKeever-Unger is prosecuting the case, which is under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division.
Authorities have asked anyone with information about the case or whereabouts of Fregosojuarez and his daughter to contact the detectives leading the investigation at (323) 786-5100 or 1-877-527-3247 during non-business hours. Tips can also be submitted anonymously by calling the Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-222-8477 or visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.
Prosecutors noted that the charges filed against Fregosojuarez are merely allegations, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If convicted on all charges, he faces 25 years to life in state prison.