Authorities have identified a 3-year-old boy who was found dead with a slashed neck at his Lancaster home on Feb. 20, City News Service (CNS) reports.
David Jacques Hernandez was found by detectives responding to a medical rescue call on the 43400 block of 57th Street West at about 10:55 p.m., the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) said.
According to Fox11, deputies found the child bleeding and not breathing. He died at the hospital, CNS reports.
“Upon arrival, deputies discovered a male juvenile with a laceration to the upper torso,” the sheriff’s department said in a Feb. 21 statement. “The juvenile was transported to a local hospital and pronounced deceased.”
When officers arrived at the residence, they also found Rena Naulls, 39, who was suffering from a “medical emergency,” according to CNS. Officers said that Naulls, who is the live-in boyfriend of the child’s mother, had tried “to take his own life” at the home.
“A male adult discovered at the location also suffered a medical emergency. He was transported to a local hospital and in stable condition. At this time, no arrest has been made,” authorities said. “Mr. Naulls has been identified as a person of interest in this matter.”
Three other children ages 9, 11, and 14 were found unharmed at the residence, according to CNS.
The Sheriff’s Department took the children to protect their safety, and the Department of Children and Family Services has been notified, according to Fox11.
“When a minor is killed, it’s traumatic for all the parties involved. And for deputies, investigators, it can hit close to home. It’s a very heinous crime, and it’s very difficult to handle those types of scenes,” sheriff’s Lt. Daniel Vizcarra told Fox11.
