Authorities in California have issued an AMBER Alert for a 5-year-old girl who police believe was taken by her father after her mother was found dead inside a Los Angeles-area home.
Daleza Fregoso was last seen around 4 a.m. on Sunday, May 24, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Officials believe she was kidnapped by 40-year-old Ruben Fregoso.
The California Highway Patrol initially did not release the relationship between the two, but the Los Angeles Police Department later identified Ruben as Daleza’s father.
The case took an even darker turn after police said Ruben is also considered a person of interest in the death of Daleza’s mother.
Officers found the woman during a welfare check at a home around 12:40 p.m. on Monday, May 25, according to the LAPD. Authorities have not publicly released her name.
Police said the early investigation indicates the woman died “as a result of violence.”
The LAPD also said Ruben was the woman’s husband and that investigators believe he “made statements indicating he intended to flee the country.”
Daleza and Ruben were reportedly traveling in a white 2019 Land Rover Discovery with the California license plate 9DAW715, according to the California Highway Patrol.
That vehicle has since been found, but authorities said Daleza and Ruben remain missing.
Daleza is described as 3 feet tall and about 45 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
Ruben is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall and about 200 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
Authorities are urging anyone who sees them to call 911 immediately.
The LAPD is also asking anyone with information to contact Robbery Homicide Division, South Bureau Section detectives at 323-786-5100.
For Daleza’s family and community, the search is now urgent as investigators try to find the missing child and determine exactly what happened before her mother was found dead.