San Diego

Dad Accused of Killing Daughter, 7, in Oceanside Home

Pedro Araujo is accused of killing his daughter, Mariah Araujo, 7, at a home on Las Vegas Drive in Oceanside

A father allegedly killed his 7-year-old daughter at a home in Oceanside Wednesday, police confirmed.

The Oceanside Police Department said officers were investigating a suspected homicide just after 12 p.m. at a home along the 3500 block of Las Vegas Drive, between Riviera and Flamingo drives. The neighborhood is south of Mission Avenue, in San Diego's North County.

Police told NBC 7 and Telemundo 20 the father called his mother to come to his home and pick up her two grandchildren: the victim -- identified by police as Mariah Araujo -- and her 6-year-old sister.

When the grandmother arrived, she could only find the 6-year-old grandchild and her son would not let her take the 7-year-old. According to OPD, when the grandmother noticed blood on her son's shirt she took the 6-year-old away from the home and called police.

When officers arrived at the house, they found the other girl dead in the bathroom. She had suffered unspecified injuries to her upper body.

Police identified the suspect as 27-year-old Pedro Araujo. He was arrested at the scene.

At this point, detectives do not have any details about the status of the relationship, if any, between the parents of the children.

Police confirmed officers had been called to the home within the last two weeks for some sort of incident involving the girl's father. They also confirmed that Araujo has a criminal record.

NBC 7 is working to gather more information. At this point, police have not released further details.

The grandfather of the victim told NBC 7 he owns the home on Las Vegas Drive and that he rents it to Araujo, who is his step son.

He said Araujo had full custody and was raising them with his mother and step father's help.

According to the grandfather, Araujo was known to become aggressive when he drank alcohol. He said there have been several occasions when he had to call 911 on his step son and have him arrested.

The 7-year-old's aunt created a GoFundMe page to help cover the costs of her niece's funeral.

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