Father Faces Serious Charges Amid Ongoing Search for Missing Child
A California man is facing murder and child abuse charges after investigators linked him to the death of his wife and the disappearance of his young daughter, who remains missing.
Authorities identified the suspect as 40-year-old Ruben Fregoso, who is accused of killing his 36-year-old wife before allegedly taking their 5-year-old daughter, Daleyza Fregoso. The case triggered a statewide AMBER Alert and a multi-agency search effort.
Police said the child was last seen in Los Angeles with her father during the early morning hours of May 24. Concerns quickly escalated after officers conducting a welfare check discovered the girl’s mother deceased inside the family residence.
Surveillance Footage Leads Investigators Toward Border Area
During the investigation, surveillance cameras reportedly captured the father and daughter near a parking structure in San Ysidro, close to the U.S.-Mexico border.
Authorities later located the family’s white 2019 Land Rover Discovery abandoned near the border crossing. Investigators believe the suspect may have crossed into Mexico with the child after the alleged crime.
Law enforcement officials stated that evidence suggests the mother’s death resulted from violence. Detectives also indicated that the suspect had previously expressed intentions to leave the country.
Search Continues as Authorities Seek Public Assistance
The whereabouts of both the father and the missing child remain unknown. Federal, state, and local agencies continue coordinating efforts to locate them safely.
Daleyza is described as approximately 3 feet tall, weighing around 45 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Authorities urge anyone with information regarding her location or the suspect’s whereabouts to contact law enforcement immediately.
If convicted on the charges filed against him, the suspect could face a lengthy prison sentence, including the possibility of life imprisonment.
Investigators say the case remains active as search operations continue on both sides of the border.
