DATE: March 18, 2025
INCIDENT: PC 273A(A) - Child Abuse Likely to Produce Great Bodily Harm or Death
LOCATION: 9000 block Arrow Route, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
SUSPECT(S): Christina Alvarez, 32-year-old resident of Rancho Cucamonga.
VICTIM(S): Nathaniel Castro Mendoza, 10-year-old Resident of Rancho Cucamonga
SUMMARY: In December 2024, Rancho Cucamonga Station Deputies responded to a 911 call in the 9000 block of Arrow Route in Rancho Cucamonga, in reference to an unresponsive 10-year-old child. Despite life-saving efforts, the child was later pronounced deceased. In February 2025, the San Bernardino County Coroner Division determined the child died from fentanyl and xylazine toxicity.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Gang/Narcotics Division's Overdose Response Team (ORT) assumed the investigation. During the investigation, ORT investigators identified Christina Alvarez, a 32-year-old resident of Rancho Cucamonga, who possessed and stored fentanyl in a manner that led to the victim's death.
The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office filed child endangerment charges and issued a warrant for Alvarez in connection to the victim’s death. On March 14, 2025, Alvarez was taken into custody and booked at West Valley Detention Center with a bail amount set at $100,000.
Anyone with information regarding this incident or other potential victims is urged to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department at (909) 387-8400. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may contact the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463), or you may leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.
Refer: Overdose Response Team
Station: Gangs/Narcotics Division
Phone No. 909-387-8400
Case No. 652500068
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
