Parents Accused Of Child Endangerment Arrested In Santa Cruz

SANTA CRUZ, CA — Child Protective Services is investigating the parents of a toddler following their arrest in downtown Santa Cruz on suspicion of child endangerment. Julissa Del Toro, 20, and Salvador Contreras, 25, both from Merced County, were arrested April 27 on suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon, conspiracy to commit a crime, carrying a loaded firearm in public, willful child endangerment, and resisting arrest, according to the Santa Cruz Police Department.

The pair’s arrest came after police received a tip that occupants of a black Toyota Camry were armed and cruising through the Santa Cruz area. Patrol officers spotted the car and stopped it in downtown’s New Leaf Community Market parking lot. Four adults and the 20-month-old boy, along with a loaded handgun, were inside the Camry, according to the SCPD.

Del Toro and Contreras were arrested, and officers forcibly detained two male occupants before taking them into custody, SCPD reported. A SCPD officer at the scene comforted the child until CPS arrived.