Baby Dangled Over Motel Railing Rescued by LAPD Officers

Los Angeles: On January 8, 2008, officers from Mission Area responded to a radio call of a "kidnap in progress" at a motel in the 13000 block of San Fernando Road in Sylmar.

At around 1:00 a.m., the LAPD received numerous phone calls reporting that a man, later identified as Antonio Llerenas, 25, of Northridge, was attempting to leave the motel with his 18 year-old girlfriend’s infant.

When the officers arrived, they saw Llerenas dangling the 18 month-old baby over the motel’s second floor railing. The officers immediately moved up the stairway to the landing to talk with Llerenas, who on multiple occasions threatened to throw or drop the child to the ground. When the officers approached, Llerenas used the baby as a shield.

During a brief moment when Llerenas moved away from the railing, an officer used a taser to separate the suspect from the baby. After a short struggle, Llerenas was handcuffed and taken into custody.

The infant was not hurt as the result of the officers’actions on the second floor landing, and was not affected by the taser due to its placement by the officer.

According to investigators, earlier in the evening Llerenas had been drinking, argued with his girlfriend, choked and struck the infant before attempting to leave the motel.

The infant, who is not related to Llerenas was examined by Los Angeles City Fire Department paramedics, and released. She suffered bruising and redness to the neck area, but no serious injuries.

Antonio Llerenas was booked at Valley Jail and charged with attempted murder. His bail was set at $1,000,000.00.

For additional information, please call Mission Area detectives at 818-838-9810, or Media Relations Section at 213- 485-3586.