Mother arrested after 4-month-old baby found in South LA dumpster dies

LOS ANGELES - A homicide investigation is underway in South Los Angeles after a four-month-old baby girl died after being found inside a trash dumpster. 

Authorities arrested the child's 19-year-old mother, Takiyah Babers, on suspicion of murder. Her bail is set at $2 million. 

What we know:

The tragic discovery was made around 10:30 p.m. Monday when neighbor Martha Serrano Jimenez and her daughter were throwing away trash near 5200 block of Alba Street, across from Holmes Avenue Elementary School. 

After feeling something heavy inside a black plastic bag, Serrano Jimenez used her cell phone flashlight to inspect the contents. Initially mistaking the infant for a doll and saying "una muñeca," she quickly realized it was a human child. 

Her daughter called 911 while Serrano Jimenez, neighbors, and an emergency dispatcher attempted CPR. Officers located the baby unresponsive and Los Angeles Fire Department personnel transported her to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead with clear signs of physical trauma.

The investigation intensified early Tuesday morning when grandparents Herman Johnson and Laura Lacy saw news reports around 4 a.m. mentioning that the deceased infant had six toes on her left foot. This rare physical trait is shared by their four-month-old granddaughter, Luna, who was born on May 25. The grandparents rushed to Johnson's apartment, where the teen mother had been staying with the child, to check on the infant's safety.

When confronted by her family, the 19-year-old mother provided conflicting accounts and repeatedly lied. 

She first claimed the baby was sleeping, but when asked to show the infant on FaceTime, she claimed she had handed the child over to her biological father. Knowing the father had never been involved in the child's life, the grandparents grew deeply suspicious. 

The mother then left, allegedly to retrieve the baby, and returned claiming Luna was fine while displaying a video on her phone. 

The grandmother immediately caught the lie, noticing the mother was wearing different clothing in the video than what she had on at the time. 

The family also discovered the child's car seat unused inside the bedroom and noted that Luna was recently seen wearing clothing matching descriptions from the scene, including small gloves. 

Additionally, the grandmother recalled noticing an unusual bruise on the infant days prior, which raised concerns.

By 7:30 a.m., LAPD Newton Division officers secured the apartment unit as a possible crime scene while investigators worked on securing a search warrant.

The grandparents shared photos of baby Luna via AirDrop to reporters and authorities to aid the investigation. 

A Spanish-language reporter showed a photo of baby Luna provided by the grandfather to Serrano Jimenez, who confirmed the infant in the picture was the child found in the dumpster. 

The LAPD confirmed the infant found in the dumpster had six toes on her left foot, leading detectives to believe the victim is indeed baby Luna. 

Shortly after 8 a.m., police led the 19-year-old mother out of the apartment in handcuffs and placed her in the back of a squad car, detaining her for questioning. 

Law enforcement confirmed the death is being investigated as a homicide, noting it is not gang-related and the victim was not homeless.

What we don't know:

The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner has not officially confirmed whether the deceased infant found in the dumpster is baby Luna, as authorities must complete formal forensic testing before making an official announcement.

Police have not released an exact cause of death beyond noting signs of physical trauma, nor have they confirmed if the baby was already deceased when placed in the dumpster. 

The identity and exact whereabouts of the child's biological father remain unknown; the grandparents stated they have never met him and that he has had no involvement in the child's life since her birth.

Timeline:

• Monday, 6 p.m.: Grandparents last see baby Luna alive when she is brought back to her mother at the 52nd Street apartment.
• Monday, 10:30 p.m.: Martha Serrano Jimenez and her daughter discover the infant inside a black plastic bag in a dumpster near 5221 Alba Street. Neighbors perform CPR under dispatcher guidance before paramedics transport the child to the hospital, where she is pronounced dead.
• Tuesday, 4 a.m.: Grandparents Herman Johnson and Laura Lacy see news reports describing an infant found with six toes on her left foot and rush to the South LA apartment.
• Tuesday, 5 a.m.: Fearing Luna is missing, grandfather Herman Johnson begins distributing photos of baby Luna to news media via AirDrop. The mother attempts to fabricate stories regarding the child's whereabouts, including presenting an older video as current proof.
• Tuesday, 7:30 a.m.: LAPD Newton Division officers secure the 52nd Street apartment as a potential crime scene while detectives prepare search warrants.
• Tuesday, 8 a.m.: LAPD Abused Child Unit detectives detain the 19-year-old mother for questioning and transport her from the scene in handcuffs.
• Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.: LAPD announced that 19-year-old Takiyah Babers was formally arrested for murder.

What they're saying:

Speaking out from behind police tape, grandfather Herman Johnson reflected on the deep bond he and his wife shared with the infant. 

"We had her ever since she'd been two weeks old. When she [their daughter] first brought the baby from the hospital, she couldn't handle it. So me and Laura took the baby. And we had the baby, fed the baby, just did everything," Johnson said. "She didn't deserve to die." 

Johnson expressed heartbreak over the circumstances of the discovery, adding, "To be found in a dumpster, a dirty dumpster. It just broke my heart. I don't know what to do, man. I don't even know what to say." 

The grandparents also revealed that they had raised and later adopted the 19-year-old mother after she was placed with them as a foster child at age seven.

Grandmother Laura Lacy described four-month-old Luna as "a blessing" who was well-known to members of their local church congregation.

Overcome with emotion after seeing her daughter taken into custody, Lacy expressed shock and grief. 

"It's just like a nightmare. It's unbelievable. I didn't formulate words to explain how I feel right now," Lacy said. 

Speaking on her feelings toward her daughter, Lacy added, "I have no love for her. Why? Because you had no love for that innocent baby. I don't feel nothing for her! I love her, and I probably would, and I still want to know why. What was the problem? Why did you do that? You had no reason to do that. I was taking care of your child for you. Didn't even go in the system. I was going to do it. I'm the grandma."

What's next:

LAPD Abused Child Unit detectives will continue interviewing the child's mother while she remains in custody. 

Investigators will also attempt to track down and question the child's biological father. 

Authorities are working alongside the Los Angeles County Coroner's office to complete a formal identification, establish the exact cause of death, and reconstruct the full timeline leading up to the homicide.

Two vigils will be held tonight: 

• 6 p.m. at 5221 Alba St. (organized by Los Angeles Metropolitan Churches)
• 6 p.m. at Holmes Ave. and 52nd Street (organized by local mothers from Pueblo del Rio and Councilmember Curren Price)

What you can do:

Anyone with information is urged to contact the LAPD immediately. Tipsters wishing to remain anonymous can contact LA Regional Crime Stoppers.

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