Woman Charged in Death of Grandmother

LOS ANGELES, CA — A 24-year-old woman charged with murder in the death of her grandmother in Bell remained jailed Monday in lieu of $2 million bail.

Sarah Montoya was arrested Wednesday and appeared in a Downey courtroom Friday in connection with the death of Paula Montoya, whose body was discovered July 21 in her residence in the 6600 block of Pine Avenue.

Her arraignment was continued to Aug. 18.

Sheriff's investigators said the 64-year-old woman was last seen alive three days earlier at her home. She was described by sheriff's officials as an active member of her local church, a "doting grandmother of six children and an attentive great-grandmother to four children."

Detectives did not release the cause of the woman's death. Her body was wrapped in a blanket and discovered by police responding to a request for a welfare check.

Last week police asked for the public's help in tracking down the granddaughter, who was believed to have fled to Mexico with her children.

"We believe that Paula's granddaughter, Sarah Montoya ... and her four children, ranging in age from 1 to 9, were the last ones to see Paula alive," sheriff's Lt. Mike Rosson said at last week's news conference. "The body was discovered in a way that was suspicious in nature. I can't describe specifics on the case at this time."

Julia Isham also took part in the news conference, speaking directly to her daughter.

"Sarah, I love you honey so much, and I pray that God keeps you and the babies in his hands," Isham said. "Call me or one of your (aunts) please and we'll go pick you up wherever you are."

Sarah's car apparently was found near the U.S./Mexico border, and detectives said she might have crossed into Mexico with her children, Elijah, Yosu, Joshua and Abagail.

Sheriff's officials said the children were found with Montoya when she was arrested, and they were unharmed.

— City News Service, photo courtesy of the LASD