Brawley PD:Toddler found dead in apartment complex, mother is in custody

A mother was taken into custody after police say they found her 19-month-old toddler dead inside their home in Brawley Thursday.

According to the Brawley Police Department (BPD), they received a report from a neighbor, about a possible deceased child at an apartment complex on West E Street.

“God knows what that poor child was going through,” said Bertha Romero, a neighbor.

The 23-year-old mother was taken into custody and is facing serious charges.

“The mother was contacted on scene, during the investigation it was established that she was possibly or allegedly guilty of manslaughter,” said Commander Brett Houser, Brawley Police Department.

“About 15 police arrived at the apartment, and they came out with something that looked like a body wrapped up in blankets,” said Nohemi Ramirez, a neighbor. ”

Ramirez says it’s an image she will never forget.

“It was something so impactful for me, it caused me so much emotion because I have a 6-year-old daughter and for something to happen to her it would be devastating,” said Ramirez.

Some neighbors say the suspect was always locked up in her apartment.

” Her neighbors know that she was on drugs. The neighbor downstairs it makes me sad, she knew there were yells and screams of the baby being verbally abused, physically abused, and she didn’t do anything. She would tell other neighbors, but I didn’t know, ” said Romero.

The suspect is in custody at the Imperial County Jail and is being held on a $50,000 bond.

” It’s a tragic investigation. We’re trying to make sure we’re being as thorough as possible, ” said Houser.

It’s been a somber day for residents at the complex. They set up a vigil for the baby girl and one neighbor has even been playing loud gospel music to bring positive energy to the apartments.