San Diego Police detectives have arrested the mother of an infant who died Friday evening after reportedly falling from the third-story window of an apartment in Normal Heights.
Police confirmed Saturday morning that the infant’s mother, 33-year-old Zewoinesh Badasso, was taken into custody in connection with the death.
The death is being investigated as a homicide, and Badasso is facing a first-degree murder charge, police said. She’s been booked into the Las Colinas Detention Facility and is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.
On Friday, officers received reports around 5:12 p.m. of an infant found in an alley in the 4500 block of 39th Street.
Police said a citizen called authorities after finding a 7-month-old baby boy on the ground, below the windows of the Park View Apartments complex.
“[The citizen] actually saw the baby on the ground and went to go check the welfare. She didn't know what it was at first. It piqued her interest -- she thought it was something like a baby,” said SDPD Lt. Ernie Herbert.
According to police, it appeared as if the infant had fallen out of a window.
When officers arrived, they found the infant suffering from severe injuries. Medics administered CPR and transported the infant to Rady Children’s Hospital.
By 5:50 p.m., the little boy had died, police confirmed.
The San Diego Police Department’s Homicide Unit is investigating the baby’s death, trying to determine what happened prior to him falling to the ground.
“The mother did come out of the apartment and was there when the officers arrived,” said Lt. Herbert.
Detectives are processing the scene and looking for witnesses. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293.
Police said the infant has been identified, but his name has not yet been released. An autopsy has been scheduled for Saturday.
The mother was detained for questioning at the scene and later arrested as a suspect in the homicide.
Neighbors in the area were in disbelief over the fatal incident.
“Oh my God, it breaks our heart, majorly,” said one father. “I have a two year-old daughter. [Something like this] it doesn’t happen.”
