Los Angeles - - On Sunday, November 17, 2002, 10:00 am, a 23-month-old girl was brought to the emergency room at Good Samaritan Hospital in a non-responsive condition by her stepfather. Despite the efforts of the medical personnel, the child was pronounced dead. Detectives from the Abused Child Unit, Juvenile Division, responded to conduct an investigation when bruising was noticed on the child’s face and torso.

On Monday, November 18, 2002 an autopsy was performed at the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Department and the death was ruled a homicide. Detectives continued their investigation and on Wednesday, November 20, 2002, 12:00, the stepfather, Miglan Elvin Alvarado, a male Hispanic, age 26, and a resident of Northeast Area, was arrested and booked for 187 PC (Murder). On Thursday, November 21, 2002, the district attorney filed murder charges and set the bail at $1,000,000.00. The Suspect Alvarado will be arraigned in Division 30 on November 22, 2002.

The initial finding from the Coroner is that the child died from blunt force trauma to the chest and abdomen.

This press release was prepared by Officer Renee’ Montoya, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.