Homicide Investigation Underway Into Death of Lancaster Toddler With Neck Laceration

LANCASTER, Calif. Feb. 21 (KNN) — A toddler was found unresponsive in a Lancaster home late Tuesday night and ultimately pronounced deceased at a hospital prompting a death investigation that transitioned to a homicide investigation by Wednesday evening, according to authorities.

Lancaster deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to the 43400 block of 57th Street West in the city of Lancaster just before 11 p.m. for a medical rescue call, according to the LASD.

The LASD said that arriving deputies discovered a male juvenile with a laceration to the upper torso which has been updated to a neck laceration.

CPR was administered once first responders arrived at the location and the child, initially identified as a 3-year-old from information at the scene, was transported to a local hospital by American Medical Response Ambulance where he was pronounced deceased.

The LASD said that a male discovered at the location, also suffered a medical emergency and was transported to a local hospital. He is reported to be in stable condition and is identified as 39-year-old Rena Naulls of Lancaster.

Naulls is the live-in boyfriend of the victim’s mother, according to the LASD. He was transported to a local hospital after attempting to take his own life at the location, the LASD stated in an update.

“Mr. Naulls has been identified as a person of interest in this matter,” said the LASD. “The remaining three children in the home, who were unharmed, were taken into protective custody by the Department of Children and Family Services.”

An adult female was initially reported to have been injured at the scene as well, but that remains unconfirmed at this time.

The first ambulance seen in KNN video from the location was for transport of the child, and the second ambulance was transport of an adult to a local hospital.

At this time, no arrests have been made, according to the LASD. There is no additional information as the investigation is still ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this incident, is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.

Eyad Alawi, Video Journalist / KNN