A California mother is in custody on suspicion of murder after her 15-month-old child was found with “significant injuries” and later died at a local hospital. Authorities say the alleged assault involved a frying pan, according to multiple local reports.
The case began shortly before noon Tuesday, when UCLA police detained Carmen Anita DeGregg, Santa Monica police said in a news release. Investigators say she was taken into custody after allegedly making statements indicating she had harmed her child and left the child inside a nearby apartment.
“Officers responded to the residence where an infant was located inside an apartment with significant injuries,” police said. “Santa Monica Fire Department personnel responded and transported the infant to a local area hospital, where the child was later pronounced deceased.”
DeGregg, 24, was booked at the Santa Monica Jail, police said.
Police did not publicly identify the mother or child. However, arrest records reviewed by PEOPLE show DeGregg was the only person arrested Tuesday facing a homicide charge. The records also list an additional charge of being under the influence of a controlled substance.
Local KABC, My News LA, and Fox 11 also reported DeGregg’s identity. Fox 11 identified the child as 15 months old and reported the infant died from injuries suffered during an alleged assault involving a frying pan.
A neighbor told Fox 11 he heard “screams” over the weekend but did not know whether that was when the assault occurred.
“It’s pretty bad,” neighbor Fred Moynier told Fox 11, saying he watched first responders bring the toddler outside on a gurney and attempt lifesaving measures.
“Why would a mother do that?” Moynier said.
Fox 11 reported that the child’s father was questioned at the scene but not arrested. Neighbors told the station he appeared distraught while speaking with police.
Santa Monica police said the infant’s cause and manner of death will be determined later by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. Detectives with the department’s Criminal Investigations Division are continuing the investigation.
DeGregg remains in custody at the Santa Monica Jail, where she is being held on $2 million bail, according to jail records reviewed by PEOPLE. She is scheduled to be arraigned on the homicide charge on Jan. 8.
