Woman, Toddler Found In Brockton Dumpster
BROCKTON (CBS) – A woman and a toddler were found dead inside a bag in a dumpster in Brockton, police announced Monday.
WBZ-TV's Christina Hager reports.
An anonymous tip brought Brockton police to the dumpster behind 427 Warren Street around 9:30 p.m. Sunday night.
In a news conference Monday afternoon, police confirmed they found the bodies of Maria Avelina Palaguachia-Cela and her nearly-three-year-old son, Brian, in a bag.
"This was not a random act, " said the Plymouth County District Attorney, Tim Cruz. "Neighbors should not be worried. We're focusing on one individual right now."
Cruz would not call the boyfriend a suspect, only saying that the investigation is active.
"We do not believe that this is a random act, and we do not believe this is a general threat to public safety in the community." said Cruz.
After the medical examiner cleared the scene, police towed away the dumpster for further investigation.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Doug Cope reports.
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Hours later, police towed a pickup truck from a driveway next to the house. Neighbor Denise Agnello said it belonged to Palaguachia-Cela, who lived on the first floor of the home.
"Normally she drives that truck every day because I hear it, it's so loud I'm always out my window," said the neighbor.
The victim was last seen Thursday, and neighbors said they saw her boyfriend driving her pickup truck over the weekend.
Agnello said the woman has two small children. The other child lives outside of the U.S.
There's no word yet on a cause of death, or any arrests.
WBZ-TV's Peg Rusconi, Bill Shields, and Christina Hager contributed to this report.
