Amber Alert for missing 5-year-old girl after mother found dead in LA, father person of interest

A 5-year-old Los Angeles girl, Daleza Fregoso, is missing and believed to be with her father, Ruben Fregoso, who is considered a person of interest in her mother’s death. The mother was found dead at a home in West Adams, and investigators said she died as a result of violence. After the father and daughter were not located, an Amber Alert was issued. Investigators learned Ruben made statements about fleeing the country and having family in Mexico, and they believe he took the child there. A white 2019 Land Rover Discovery linked to the case was found near the U.S.-Mexico border, but the father and daughter were not found. Neighbors described the mother and daughter as friendly and familiar in the neighborhood.

"An Amber Alert remains in effect for a missing 5-year-old Los Angeles girl believed to be with her father, who police say is a person of interest in the death of the child's mother. Daleza Fregoso and her father, 40-year-old Ruben Fregoso, were last seen Sunday morning near Alsace Avenue and Ferndale Street in Los Angeles. On Monday afternoon, officers conducted a welfare check and found a woman dead at a home on South Alsace Avenue in West Adams, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Investigators say the woman "died as a result of violence.""

"The victim's husband, Fregoso, has been identified as a person of interest in her death. Fregoso and the couple's daughter have not been found, which triggered an Amber Alert several hours after the woman was found dead. Investigators have learned that Fregoso made statements indicating he intended to flee the country and has family in Mexico. They believe that's where he took the 5-year-old girl."

"Fregoso and the child were initially believed to be in a white 2019 Land Rover Discovery with California license plate 9DAW715, according to California Highway Patrol. The vehicle was later located near the U.S.-Mexico border, but the father and daughter were not found. Neighbors say the mother and daughter were fixtures in the neighborhood, always friendly, eager to talk or pet a dog."

""I'm hoping that the baby didn't see anything that could scar her for life. My prayers are just with the family," said neighbor Carrie Coleman. "She's just a cute little kid. A sweetheart. The girl is just so sweet, so young." Coleman's demeanor changed when she was asked about the father. "Now, I have seen him quite a bit, several occasions," Coleman said. "Pretty much every time you see him, he got a beer can in his hand.""

Read at ABC7 San Francisco