Crime & Safety
Sheriff's Dept. Makes Arrest in Infant Death Case
Investigators believe they've identified the mother of a newborn abandoned in nearby Camarillo.
After a lengthy investigation, Ventura County Sheriff's homicide detectives have made an arrest in relation to the death of a newborn baby left at a farm in nearby Camarillo.
On Friday, the Sheriff's Department arrested Rosalba Cruz Moran, 20, of Oxnard on suspicion of murder after DNA test results confirmed she was the mother of the baby abandoned in a strawberry field at La Esperanza Farms on May 21, according to a statement by the department.
During the course of the investigation, the sheriff's major crimes bureau detectives collected more than 100 DNA buccal swabs from field workers who were in the area that day, and for many months, they interviewed potential witnesses while making public service announcements requesting information about the baby's mother, the statement said.
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Through investigation, homicide detectives identified Moran as the possible mother. Moran’s DNA was collected pursuant to a search warrant while she was in custody at the Todd Road Jail on unrelated charges, according to the statement. Forensic scientists processed Moran’s DNA and confirmed Moran was the mother of the baby abandoned at the farm.
"Significant evidence directly linked Moran to the murder of her newborn baby," the sheriff's statement said.
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Moran remains in custody at the Todd Road Jail with bail set at $1,000,000, according to the sheriff's department.
Detectives are following leads to identify the father. Anyone with
additional information about the case can contact Detective Lopez or Detective Worthy at 805-383-8786.
The sheriff's department also included a reminder about the 2006 California Safely Surrendered Baby law, which allows for parents or people with lawful custody to safely surrender an infant within 72 hours of birth with no questions asked. Safe surrender sites include hospitals and other locations—typically fire stations—approved by the board of supervisors or fire agency in each county.
Dial 2-1-1 in Ventura County to find the nearest Safe Surrender location.
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