Mother Accused Of Murdering Her 8-Month-Old Son After Remains Discovered
FONTANA (CBSLA.com) — Homicide Detectives from the Fontana Sheriff's Station have arrested a mother suspected in the murder of her 8-month old child.
Officials said deputies were dispatched to a business in the 10100 block of Linden Avenue in Bloomington Thursday afternoon after someone discovered possible human remains in a storage facility.
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department investigators later determined the remains belonged to an 8-month-old male who was killed about a year ago.
Investigators said they determined Maria Torres was the mother of the child. The 31-year-old Bloomington resident is also accused of hiding the child's remains from family and friends for the past year.
Officials said Torres is also being investigated for fraudulently obtaining money from a local church and community members, telling people the donations would be utilized for burial fees related to the death of the child.
Torres was arrested Saturday on a murder charge and booked at West Valley Detention Center. She is being held without bail.
KCAL9's Jennifer Kastner spoke to stunned neighbors, many of whom did not want to speak on camera.
"That's so devastating" said one neighbor, "no words can explain to me what you just told me right now."
Employees at the storage facility where the remains were allegedly found told Kastner "no comment."
Torres was arrested at her home on Williams Avenue less than a mile from the storage unit.
People inside the home also declined to speak on camera.
According to neighbors, Torres told people her baby died about a year ago from high potassium complications.
She never held a funeral and allegedly told people she had the baby cremated. Neighbors said she then took off.
"One day and I don't know why, she just disappeared ... never found out why," said neighbor Bob Aldred.
Neighbors say Torres is currently pregnant and has three other kids who are now in CPS custody.
The exact cause of the baby's death won't be released at this time due to the ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Specialized Investigations Division, Homicide Detail Detective Scott Thies or Sergeant Trevis Newport at (909) 387-3589.
