Abused Child Found in Drawer by Co -Tenant

Los Angeles: On March 20, 2001, at approximately 11:30 a.m., the co-tenant of an apartment in 77th Street Area heard noises coming from the bedroom. Knowing the two adults and at least two of their children were gone, he looked in the bedroom. Upon not seeing anything unusual, but still hearing the noise, he looked further and finally localized the noise to a built-in dresser in a small closet. In the bottom drawer he found the imprisoned five year-old daughter of the two adults. He stated she was shaking so badly from fear that he thought she was having a seizure. He quickly removed her from the drawer and learned she had not had food or water for three days. After attending to her immediate needs, he took her to the nearest police station (Southwest Area Police Station.)
Juvenile Detectives, Abused Child Unit, responded to Children’s Hospital where the child was being treated for multiple bruises to the face and torso, dehydration and a fractured rib. The victim stated her mother beat her and put her in the dresser drawer as punishment. She further stated her stepfather hit her and knew the mother was making her stay in the drawer. The mother, Isidra Gomez, age 24, was located and arrested. The stepfather, Juan Medina, age 41, was arrested when he returned to the apartment.
The District Attorney has filed felony child abuse and child endangering charges against the both parents and they remain in custody.
Juvenile Detectives, Abused Child Unit are handling the investigation. Anyone with further information can contact Detectives T. Standford and Y. Villegas at 213-485-4220.
Please feel free to contact Media Relations Section, regarding photos of the suspects and Media interviews at 213-485-3586.
This Press Release was prepared by Officer La Donna Cissell, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.