Grandmother of Murdered Baby Found in Dumpster Begs Witnesses to Come Forward

Clutching an information flyer and flanked by friends at the crime scene vigil, Eliza’s grandmother Lupe Lechuga went door-to-door to appeal for information.

The grandmother of a murdered infant found dead in a dumpster begged for witnesses to come forward at a vigil held at the family home in Long Beach, California, Friday.

Pastors and community leaders also turned out for the event held to remember Eliza de la Cruz, who was abducted Saturday from the house on West 51st Street by a man who shot and wounded her parents and uncle. Her body was found in a San Diego dumpster last Sunday.

Clutching an information flyer and flanked by friends at the crime scene vigil, Eliza’s grandmother, Lupe Lechuga, went door-to-door to appeal for information. 

"You don't have to give your name, just come forward," Lechuga said.

LaWanda Hawkins, of vigil organizers Justice for Murdered Children, also turned up and demanded people put any fears aside and speak up.

"Snitches get stitches? We're not having that. We’re saying, hey, this crosses every line. This was a 3-week-old baby,” Hawkins said.

Further support was lended by Pastor Claude Powe, who hoped people would put themselves imn the victims’ shoes.

"Neighbors? It could have been your child! But for the grace of God, there go us. Amen," Pastor Powe said.

Residents were clearly moved at the well-attended event.

"It's a three week old baby! And it's like really really sad about that," Lupe Torres of Long Beach said

And fellow local Miguel Reynos said he wanted to do whatever he could to help.

"(I'm) coming here to show support to the family. May God have her soul," Reynos said.

Long Beach Police Department Cmdr. Don Wood was hoping the appeal will help bring new information to light.

"They're cooperative. But unfortunate at this time, we don't have any information that's going to lead us to the person or person's responsible," Cmdr. Wood said.

Contact Us