The father and stepmother of a 14-month-old baby were charged with murder and other counts Monday after being accused of torturing and killing the girl in Long Beach.
The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office has also charged Alfredo Muñoz, 40, and Kelly Muñoz, 34, with torture and assault on a child causing death.
The arraignment for the Long Beach couple was delayed until Dec. 16 as they were being held on $3 million bail.
Long Beach police said officers first responded to a hospital on Nov. 7 after receiving reports of child abuse. The child, whose name was not announced, died on Nov. 10 after being on life support.
“Through their continued investigation, homicide detectives determined there had been on-going abuse to the child and the victim’s death was a result of abuse from her father and stepmother,” according to a police statement.
The couple were arrested last Tuesday.
The exact nature of the abuse was not released, but police said the child had visible signs of trauma.
Anyone with additional information was asked to contact homicide detectives Ethan Shear or Kelsey Myers at 562-570-7244. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit
lacrimestoppers.org.
