Los Angeles, California — A 4-month-old baby girl was found dead inside a dumpster in Los Angeles, prompting a murder investigation and the arrest of her biological mother, police announced Tuesday evening.
The infant was discovered around 10:30 p.m. Monday in the 1800 block of East 52nd Street in the Central-Alameda neighborhood, across from Holmes Avenue Elementary School. The baby was reportedly wrapped in a blanket when she was found.
Los Angeles police later identified the suspect as 19-year-old Takiyah Babers, a Los Angeles resident and the biological mother of the child.
Baby Was Found Inside Dumpster Monday Night
The discovery began when a woman was reportedly dumping trash and noticed what appeared to be a body inside the dumpster.
“Someone was dumping trash and I guess saw the body in the dumpster and called 911,” Los Angeles Police Department Juvenile Division Lt. Dave Hoskins said. “The body was found wrapped in a blanket.”
Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded to the scene and transported the baby to a nearby hospital. The infant was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The woman who discovered the baby spoke about the disturbing moment Tuesday morning, saying she initially believed the infant was a doll.
The child was reportedly wearing shorts and gloves when she was found.
Police Identify the Baby’s Mother
A young woman was detained later Tuesday morning as investigators worked to determine what had happened to the child.
Police did not initially confirm whether the detained woman was the baby’s mother. That changed Tuesday evening when the LAPD announced that detectives had identified the suspect.
“The LAPD’s Juvenile Division-Abused Child Section responded and investigated the circumstances leading to the child’s death,” police officials stated in a news release. “Through their investigation, detectives identified the suspect as 19-year-old Takiyah Babers.
“Babers is a resident of Los Angeles and is the biological mother of the victim.”
Babers was subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder. Authorities have not publicly released additional details about what led to the baby’s death or what investigators believe happened before the child was found.
Foster Parents Say Baby Had Been in Their Care
A couple on Tuesday morning said Babers was their foster daughter and that they believed the infant was her child.
Herman Johnson and Laura Lacy said the baby had been in their care since she was about two weeks old. Johnson said the baby’s mother had contacted them previously about taking care of the child.
“She just seemed strange,” Johnson said. “Anytime she called me to come over here and take the baby, you know, it was strange to me. She couldn’t control the baby. So, that’s when me and Laura took the baby and we had the baby ever since the baby was like two weeks old.”
Johnson and Lacy also said Babers’ account of what happened appeared to change during the morning, initially saying she had the baby and later saying the father had the child.
Foster Mother Demands Answers
Lacy was visibly upset after seeing her foster daughter taken away in handcuffs.
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“I have no love for her. Why? Because she had no love for that innocent baby. I don’t feel nothing for her,” Lacy said, but she also wanted answers from her foster daughter. “I love her and I still want to know why. What was the problem? Why did you do that? You had no reason to do that. I was taking care of your child for you. Didn’t even go in the system. I was going to do it. I’m the grandma.”
Johnson and Lacy later left the scene to go to the medical examiner’s office and the police station as investigators continued working on the case.
The circumstances surrounding the baby’s death remain under investigation.
Community Holds Vigil for Baby Girl
A vigil was held Tuesday evening near the intersection of Holmes Avenue and 52nd Street, close to where the baby was discovered.
The child was identified as Luna in a GoFundMe organized to help cover the costs associated with laying her to rest.
The vigil announcement emphasized that the gathering was intended to focus on the child and the community’s response while investigators continued working to determine what happened.
“While authorities continue their investigation and further details are pending, tonight’s focus is on the child and on a community coming together to care for its own,” the announcement stated.
The murder investigation remains active, and authorities are expected to release additional information as the case develops.
What are your thoughts on this heartbreaking case? Share your condolences for Luna and your thoughts in the comments as the Los Angeles community continues seeking answers.
