Sheriff McDonnell Announces Arrest in Connection With Death of 10yr old Lancaster Boy Anthony Avalos
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
Photo Credit:supervisor kathryn Barger, press release