A homicide investigation is underway in South Los Angeles after a four-month-old baby girl was found inside a dumpster on Monday night, leading to the arrest of her 19-year-old mother, Takiyah Babers, on suspicion of murder.
Neighbors making a late-night trash run made the harrowing discovery inside a black plastic bag around 10:30 p.m. Monday.
Neighbor Martha Serrano Jimenez initially mistook the unresponsive infant for a doll before realizing it was a human child and alerting her daughter to call 911.
Despite immediate CPR efforts by neighbors and arriving emergency personnel, the child died at a local hospital, showing clear signs of physical trauma, according to police.
The investigation intensified after the baby's foster grandparents, Herman Johnson and Laura Lacy, saw news reports early Tuesday morning noting the child found in the dumpster was born with six toes on her left foot. Knowing their four-month-old granddaughter, Luna, shared this distinct physical trait, the grandparents confronted Babers at her home.
Babers repeatedly lied regarding the infant's whereabouts, police said, including claims that the child was sleeping, that she had been handed over to her estranged biological father, and showing an outdated phone video as current proof.
Family members quickly recognized the deception, noting Babers was wearing different clothing in the video and that the child's car seat remained unused inside the apartment.
Read moreJohnson and Lacy then shared photos of baby Luna via AirDrop with officers and local media, allowing witnesses at the crime scene to confirm the victim's identity.
Takiyah Babers: Mother arrested after 4-month-old found in South LA dumpster dies
LAPD detectives are preparing to present murder charges against 19-year-old Takiyah Babers following the discovery of her four-month-old baby girl inside a South Los Angeles dumpster.
