Hunt Continues For Amber Alert Father Facing Murder Charge In LA Mother’s Killing: DA

LOS ANGELES, CA — A Los Angeles man accused of killing his girlfriend and fleeing to Mexico with their 5-year-old daughter — triggering an Amber Alert earlier this week — has been charged with murder and child abuse, prosecutors announced Thursday.

Authorities say the man and his daughter remain missing.

Charges were filed Wednesday against Ruben Fregosojuarez, 40, who is accused of murder and child abuse under circumstances or conditions other than great bodily injury or death, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Fregosojuarez had previously been identified by authorities as Ruben Fregoso.

Prosecutors claim Fregosojuarez killed his girlfriend on or around May 25 before fleeing to Mexico with the couple’s daughter.

“The killing of a mother and the abduction of a young child is the kind of violence that shocks the entire community,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement. “I cannot imagine the grief and fear that the innocent child faced as she was allegedly snatched after her mother was killed.”

Authorities identified the missing child as Daleyza Fregoso. Police initially spelled her first name as Daleza. The California Highway Patrol issued an Amber Alert after the girl was last seen with her father around 4 a.m. Sunday near Alsace Avenue and Ferndale Street in West Adams.

The pair were believed to be traveling in a Land Rover Discovery SUV that was later found near the San Ysidro border crossing in San Diego County. Surveillance video appeared to show the suspect and child leaving a parking structure near the crossing Sunday, authorities said.

The vehicle has since been located, according to the California Highway Patrol, which still listed the girl and her father as missing.

The day after the Amber Alert was issued, officers responded to the 2600 block of South Alsace Avenue for a welfare check, where they found the woman dead inside the residence, police said.

Authorities said the victim appeared to have suffered a violent death. They have not released her name.

"Investigators have learned that (Fregosojuarez) made statements indicating he intended to flee the country," the Los Angeles Police Department said.

There was no immediate word Thursday on the whereabouts of either Fregosojuarez or his daughter. But Hochman said "the defendant will face his day in court, and our Family Violence Division will pursue every available resource and work with federal and Mexican law enforcement authorities to seek justice for the woman whose life was stolen and for the child caught in this tragedy."

If convicted as charged, Fregosojuarez faces 25 years to life in state prison.

City News Service contributed to this report.