Full Notification

Click on the link below to see the Sheriff's News Conference 
https://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesCountySheriffsDepartment/videos/2256633944363506/
 
On Wednesday, June 20, 2018, at approximately 12:00pm, Lancaster Station deputies responded to an apartment complex in the 1100 block of East Avenue K in the city of Lancaster regarding a medical rescue call of a ten year old boy not breathing

Upon arrival, the victim was discovered in his family's apartment unresponsive.  The victim was reported by family members to have suffered injuries from a fall.  He was transported to a nearby hospital.
 
Investigators from our Sheriff’s Special Victims Bureau and Homicide Bureau immediately responded and began their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Detectives worked with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to remove eight children, ranging from 11 months to twelve years old, who either lived at the home, or were associated with the victim's family.  They were placed in the custody of DCFS.
 
Detectives also conducted multiple interviews with all persons associated with this case.  They examined all the Sheriff’s and DCFS documents, both historical and current, as it related to 10- year-old Anthony Avalos and his family.  

Although Anthony survived through the night, tragically, he succumbed to his injuries at 6:30 AM the following day.  As the investigation continued, Detectives interviewed Anthony’s Mother’s boyfriend, 32-year-old Kareem Leiva at Lancaster Station on Wednesday, June 27, 2018.

During the course of their interview, Suspect Leiva made statements that led investigators to arrest him for the murder of Anthony Avalos.  

During the interview investigators realized that Suspect Leiva had suffered prior medical injuries that required medical attention
Suspect Leiva will be booked at Lancaster Station with a 2 million dollar bail after he is medically cleared.

Homicide Bureau and Special Victims Bureau are working closely with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Complex Child Abuse Unit and the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

Forwarded by:
Dangelo Robinson Deputy
Sheriff’s Information Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department 
Hall of Justice - First floor  
211 W. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-229-1700
Website LASD HQ: http://www.lasd.org
Recruitment LASD: http://www.careers.lasd.org 
Follow LASD HQ via Text and Email: http://www.Nixle.com
https://nixle.com/lasd---los-angeles-county-sheriffs-dept-information-bureau-sib/  
Twitter: @LASDHQ http://twitter.com/LASDHQ
Twitter: @LASDtalk https://twitter.com/LASDTalk
Twitter: @LASDvideos https://twitter.com/LASDvideos
Twitter: @LASDespanol https://twitter.com/LASDespanol
Facebook LASD HQ http://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesCountySheriffsDepartment
Instagram LASD Photos: http://instagram.com/LASDHQ 
Pinterest LASD Photos: http://pinterest.com/lacountysheriff/
YouTube LASD Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/LACountySheriff/videos?view=0
SNAP LA County: Specific Needs Disaster Voluntary Registry http://snap.lacounty.gov/
Alert LA County: Telephone emergency mass notification system
http://www.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/alertla
Text & Email, Register for LASD Nixle messages: To receive more detailed, up-to-date information via E-MAIL and/or TEXT directly from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), sign up for "Nixle" alerts at http://www.Nixle.com and register for "LASD – Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept Information Bureau (SIB)" AND your local LASD station area. Or, to receive URGENT TEXT ALERTS ONLY, text your zip code to 888777. Standard text messaging rates may apply depending on your calling plan.

"If You See Something, Say Something"
LA Crime Stoppers: Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 MOBILE APP” on Google play or the App Store, or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org

Jim McDonnell, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department


ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE IS A FOLLOWS

Sheriff's Homicide Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a ten year old boy in Lancaster.
 
Investigators have learned on Wednesday, June 20, 2018, at approximately 12:00 PM, Lancaster Station deputies responded to an apartment complex in the 1100 block of East Avenue K in the city of Lancaster regarding a medical rescue call of a ten year old boy not breathing.   Upon arrival, the victim was discovered in his family's apartment unresponsive. The victim was reported to have suffered injuries from a fall.  He was transported to a nearby hospital. 
 
Although the victim survived through the night, tragically, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 6:30 AM.
 
This investigation is being conducted jointly with Sheriff's Homicide Bureau and Special Victims Bureau.  The death is considered suspicious and the cause will be investigated by the Coroner's office.
 
This is an active investigation and no arrests have been made.  Seven children, ranging from 11 months to twelve years old, who either lived at the home, or were associated with the victim's family have been removed from the home pending further investigation. 

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
 

Sheriff’s Information Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Hall of Justice - First floor 
211 W. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-229-1700
 
Website LASD HQ: http://www.lasd.org
Recruitment LASD: http://www.careers.lasd.org
Follow LASD HQ via Text and Email: http://www.Nixle.com
https://nixle.com/lasd---los-angeles-county-sheriffs-dept-information-bureau-sib/ 
 
Twitter: @LASDHQ http://twitter.com/LASDHQ
Twitter: @LASDtalk https://twitter.com/LASDTalk
Twitter: @LASDvideos https://twitter.com/LASDvideos
Twitter: @LASDespanol https://twitter.com/LASDespanol
Facebook LASD HQ http://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesCountySheriffsDepartment
Instagram LASD Photos: http://instagram.com/LASDHQ
Pinterest LASD Photos: http://pinterest.com/lacountysheriff/
YouTube LASD Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/LACountySheriff/videos?view=0
SNAP LA County: Specific Needs Disaster Voluntary
 
Alert LA County: Telephone emergency mass notification system
http://www.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/alertla
 
Text & Email, Register for LASD Nixle messages: To receive more detailed, up-to-date information via E-MAIL and/or TEXT directly from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), sign up for "Nixle" alerts at http://www.Nixle.com and register for "LASD – Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept Information Bureau (SIB)" AND your local LASD station area. Or, to receive URGENT TEXT ALERTS ONLY, text your zip code to 888777. Standard text messaging rates may apply depending on your calling plan.
 
"If You See Something, Say Something"
 
LA Crime Stoppers: Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. Or if you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
 
Jim McDonnell, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Original Release Below 
*************************************************************************


DATE:  Wednesday, June 20, 2018
 
TIME:  12:16 p.m.
 
LOCATION:  1100 block of East Avenue K, Lancaster
 
VICTIM/PATIENT: Male Child
 
UNIT:  Homicide Bureau – Lieutenant Alfred
 
NARRATIVE:
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding an injured child. The incident was reported Wednesday, June 20, 2018, at approximately 12:16 p.m., on the 1100 block of East Avenue K, Lancaster.  

The child was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.

The investigation is still ongoing. No arrests have been made.                                           
 
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
 
Written by:
Deputy Trina Schrader
Sheriff’s Information Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Hall of Justice - First floor 
211 W. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-229-1700
 
Website LASD HQ: http://www.lasd.org
Recruitment LASD: http://www.careers.lasd.org
Follow LASD HQ via Text and Email: http://www.Nixle.com
https://nixle.com/lasd---los-angeles-county-sheriffs-dept-information-bureau-sib/ 
 
Twitter: @LASDHQ http://twitter.com/LASDHQ
Twitter: @LASDtalk https://twitter.com/LASDTalk
Twitter: @LASDvideos https://twitter.com/LASDvideos
Twitter: @LASDespanol https://twitter.com/LASDespanol
Facebook LASD HQ http://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesCountySheriffsDepartment
Instagram LASD Photos: http://instagram.com/LASDHQ
Pinterest LASD Photos: http://pinterest.com/lacountysheriff/
YouTube LASD Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/LACountySheriff/videos?view=0
SNAP LA County: Specific Needs Disaster Voluntary
 
Alert LA County: Telephone emergency mass notification system
http://www.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/alertla
 
Text & Email, Register for LASD Nixle messages: To receive more detailed, up-to-date information via E-MAIL and/or TEXT directly from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), sign up for "Nixle" alerts at http://www.Nixle.com and register for "LASD – Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept Information Bureau (SIB)" AND your local LASD station area. Or, to receive URGENT TEXT ALERTS ONLY, text your zip code to 888777. Standard text messaging rates may apply depending on your calling plan.
 
"If You See Something, Say Something"
 
LA Crime Stoppers: Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. Or if you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
 
Jim McDonnell, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department