Santa Monica: 5-year-old girl's death investigated as a homicide
Kayla Fernandez, a 5-year-old Latino girl, died at 11:33 a.m. Monday, Sept. 29, at Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center.
Her death is being investigated as a homicide, although officials have not determined the cause of death, according to the Los Angeles County coroner's office.
Information provided by the coroner's office shows that Kayla possibly suffered from head trauma and fractures in 2003 in Northern California, where she is from, but the district attorney's office there refused to file charges because of conflicting information provided by the local hospital.
Kayla, who was born prematurely, underwent two heart surgeries in her young life. She was last living at a specialty healthcare facility in Sun Valley before being taken to the hospital.
—Amanda Covarrubias
Is this going to be considered criminal neglect?
Posted by: Melissa O | October 11, 2008 at 12:32 AM
this is so sad that this child since before birth has had physical defeats. she has yet to even begin a life of learning. The parents are sure to blame and the facility where she was living is as well. There are some children that are subjected to variuos forms of abuse and it's not just physical abuse. There are parents that I knowof that will allow there own child to come outside without being properly dressed, regardless of the weather or where there going, being fed in late hours so they can sleep in or be surrounded with drama in their lives. Not having a cooked meal that consist nutrious foods, Depression in a mother can result in the neglect of a child emotionally, by the abuse she ia enduring in a relationship and the parent(s) should be reported and the child or children taken away. Drugs/Alcohol plays a part in the abuse of a child from parent(s) being a substance abuser. A childs will either with draw, have violent tendicies or have affects of ADHD. It saddens me that no one stepped in before this tragady happened. The police must know more to come to have come to the conclusion it is a homicide, whatever the case maybe, anyone who abuses a child in any form should have their child/children taken away and then be prosecuted to the fullest. In this case Ido hope justice is served for the sake of the child who now cannot speak for herself.
Posted by: KIM SMITH | October 11, 2008 at 02:53 PM
SHE IS JUST A CHILD. MAYBE THESE KILERS NEED TO LEARN WHAT CHILD MEANS!
AT LEAST SHE IS WITH JESUS AND THE ANGELS.
Posted by: wayne 2008 | October 11, 2008 at 11:11 PM
THE GANGS NEED TO BE ROUNDED UP AND PLACED IN CAMPS THAT ARE SURROUNDED BY THE MILITARY.
Posted by: wayne 2008 | October 11, 2008 at 11:43 PM
very, very sad. such a young life saw so much pain. May she rest in peace.
Posted by: Trojan Al | October 13, 2008 at 03:55 PM
The ones that harm helpless people should be tortured and hurt in the same way they hurt and tortured their victims. So much pain in this little angel's short life. May God bless her soul.
Posted by: Alice | October 13, 2008 at 09:50 PM
How is it possible a week or better always go by and not a single update is added to this blog? Where`s Jill, please bring her back!
Posted by: Mnuel Rodriguez | October 17, 2008 at 06:11 PM
This is a sad issue at hand, but the truth of the matter is Justice has lost its place in our free world. We the people have put our trust in our system, of D.A.'s, Local Judges, as well as police, or sheriffs. They are to gain the public trust, but instead they focus on the business part of our system, federal money, and gov. money. Its all about the money, not safety. They focus more, on issues, dealing with traffic stops (more money), white collar crimes (more money), placing non-voilent offenders in jail (more money), they ( those listed ) focus on self-intrests not public safety, they swore, with a oath to UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION OF THESE UNITED STATES, To represent the PEOPLE, not their opinions, in what they believe in. Child, and infant death should not be treated lightly. This is the issue, money, it should not be all about the MONEY, but protection. Remember these elected few, work for us not themselves, we need to speak out about our legal system, and how it works. Remember it states WE THE PEOPLE, NOT I THE JUDGE, I THE OFFICER, OR I THE D.A. It is our civil duty to fire, those in charge, and WE have every right to do so.
Posted by: David Gomez | January 22, 2009 at 01:14 PM