Man, 25, Accused Of Beating 4-Year-Old Child In Orange County Arrested

SEAL BEACH, CA — A 25-year-old Orange County man faces child abuse charges after he fled a investigative traffic stop and led police on a brief pursuit, Seal Beach Police Lieutenant Julia Clasby said Tuesday.

Seal Beach police officers were dispatched to the area of Heather Street and Guava Avenue on Thursday, June 22 at about 3:37 p.m. to respond to a welfare check in the area.

Upon arrival, police found a four-year-old child on scene and noted multiple visible injuries on the child's face and body.

"While paramedics were conducting a physical assessment of the child, the alleged abuser responsible for the child's injuries was observed driving in the neighborhood and an investigative traffic stop was initiated," Clasby told Patch.

The suspect fled from the traffic stop and led authorities on a pursuit, which was ultimately called off after officers lost sight of the vehicle. He was identified as 25-year-old Cody Rohlfing, of Seal Beach.

"It was later determined that [Rohlfing] was not biologically related to the child, but lives with the child's mother at a home in Seal Beach," Clasby said.

Three minutes after the pursuit ended, Clasby said the Rohlfing was involved in a traffic crash in the City of Los Alamitos.

He was later arrested and taken into custody and faces several charges, including felony child abuse, resisting arrest, felony evading and felony hit-and-run resulting in injuries.

Residents with information to aid the ongoing investigation were asked to contact Sergeant Gibson at (562) 799-4100 ext. 1128 or jgibson@sealbeachca.gov.